Parental control over vehicle features and child alert system

ABSTRACT

A system to access one or more user profiles that govern one or more vehicle functions. The system cooperates with a processor and verification module which are adapted to verify, using one or more of biometric information, gesture recognition, facial recognition and device identification information, that a user has authority to access the one or more user profiles, where the one or more profiles are stored in one or more of a vehicle, a cloud and a communications device. An edit module is further provided and adapted to allow the user to make one or more edits to the one or more user profiles.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefits of and priority, under 35U.S.C. §119(e), to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/811,981,filed on Apr. 15, 2013, entitled “Functional Specification for a NextGeneration Automobile”; 61/865,954, filed on Aug. 14, 2013, entitled“Gesture Control of Vehicle Features”; 61/870,698, filed on Aug. 27,2013, entitled “Gesture Control and User Profiles Associated withVehicle Features”; 61/891,217, filed on Oct. 15, 2013, entitled “GestureControl and User Profiles Associated with Vehicle Features”; 61/904,205,filed on Nov. 14, 2013, entitled “Gesture Control and User ProfilesAssociated with Vehicle Features”; 61/924,572, filed on Jan. 7, 2014,entitled “Gesture Control and User Profiles Associated with VehicleFeatures”; and 61/926,749, filed on Jan. 13, 2014, entitled “Method andSystem for Providing Infotainment in a Vehicle.” The entire disclosuresof the applications listed above are hereby incorporated by reference,in their entirety, for all that they teach and for all purposes.

This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/420,236, filed on Mar. 14, 2012, entitled, “Configurable VehicleConsole”; Ser. No. 13/420,240, filed on Mar. 14, 2012, entitled“Removable, Configurable Vehicle Console”; Ser. No. 13/462,593, filed onMay 2, 2012, entitled “Configurable Dash Display”; Ser. No. 13/462,596,filed on May 2, 2012, entitled “Configurable Heads-Up Dash Display”;Ser. No. 13/679,459, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled “VehicleComprising Multi-Operating System” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-228); Ser.No. 13/679,234, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled “Gesture Recognitionfor On-Board Display” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-229); Ser. No.13/679,412, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled “Vehicle Application Storefor Console” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-230); Ser. No. 13/679,857, filedon Nov. 16, 2012, entitled “Sharing Applications/Media Between Car andPhone (Hydroid)” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-231); Ser. No. 13/679,878,filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled “In-Cloud Connection for CarMultimedia” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-232); Ser. No. 13/679,875, filedon Nov. 16, 2012, entitled “Music Streaming” (Attorney Docket No.6583-233); Ser. No. 13/679,676, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled“Control of Device Features Based on Vehicle State” (Attorney Docket No.6583-234); Ser. No. 13/678,673, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled“Insurance Tracking” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-235); Ser. No.13/678,691, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled “Law Breaking/BehaviorSensor” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-236); Ser. No. 13/678,699, filed onNov. 16, 2012, entitled “Etiquette Suggestion” (Attorney Docket No.6583-237); Ser. No. 13/678,710, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled“Parking Space Finder Based on Parking Meter Data” (Attorney Docket No.6583-238); Ser. No. 13/678,722, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled“Parking Meter Expired Alert” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-239); Ser. No.13/678,726, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled “Object Sensing (PedestrianAvoidance/Accident Avoidance)” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-240); Ser. No.13/678,735, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled “Proximity Warning Relativeto Other Cars” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-241); Ser. No. 13/678,745,filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled “Street Side Sensors” (Attorney DocketNo. 6583-242); Ser. No. 13/678,753, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled“Car Location” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-243); Ser. No. 13/679,441,filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled “Universal Bus in the Car” (AttorneyDocket No. 6583-244); Ser. No. 13/679,864, filed on Nov. 16, 2012,entitled “Mobile Hot Spot/Router/Application Share Site or Network”(Attorney Docket No. 6583-245); Ser. No. 13/679,815, filed on Nov. 16,2012, entitled “Universal Console Chassis for the Car” (Attorney DocketNo. 6583-246); Ser. No. 13/679,476, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled“Vehicle Middleware” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-247); Ser. No.13/679,306, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled “Method and System forVehicle Data Collection Regarding Traffic” (Attorney Docket No.6583-248); Ser. No. 13/679,369, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled “Methodand System for Vehicle Data Collection” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-249);Ser. No. 13/679,680, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled “CommunicationsBased on Vehicle Diagnostics and Indications” (Attorney Docket No.6583-250); Ser. No. 13/679,443, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled “Methodand System for Maintaining and Reporting Vehicle Occupant Information”(Attorney Docket No. 6583-251); Ser. No. 13/678,762, filed on Nov. 16,2012, entitled “Behavioral Tracking and Vehicle Applications” (AttorneyDocket No. 6583-252); Ser. No. 13/679,292, filed Nov. 16, 2012, entitled“Branding of Electrically Propelled Vehicles Via the Generation ofSpecific Operating Output” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-258); Ser. No.13/679,400, filed Nov. 16, 2012, entitled “Vehicle Climate Control”(Attorney Docket No. 6583-313); Ser. No. 13/840,240, filed on Mar. 15,2013, entitled “Improvements to Controller Area Network Bus” (AttorneyDocket No. 6583-314); Ser. No. 13/678,773, filed on Nov. 16, 2012,entitled “Location Information Exchange Between Vehicle and Device”(Attorney Docket No. 6583-315); Ser. No. 13/679,887, filed on Nov. 16,2012, entitled “In Car Communication Between Devices” (Attorney DocketNo. 6583-316); Ser. No. 13/679,842, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled“Configurable Hardware Unit for Car Systems” (Attorney Docket No.6583-317); Ser. No. 13/679,204, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled“Feature Recognition for Configuring a Vehicle Console and AssociatedDevices” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-318); Ser. No. 13/679,350, filed onNov. 16, 2012, entitled “Configurable Vehicle Console” (Attorney DocketNo. 6583-412); Ser. No. 13/679,358, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled“Configurable Dash Display” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-413); Ser. No.13/679,363, filed on Nov. 16, 2012, entitled “Configurable Heads-Up DashDisplay” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-414); and Ser. No. 13/679,368, filedon Nov. 16, 2012, entitled “Removable, Configurable Vehicle Console”(Attorney Docket No. 6583-415). The entire disclosures of theapplications listed above are hereby incorporated by reference, in theirentirety, for all that they teach and for all purposes.

This application is also related to PCT Patent Application Nos.PCT/US14/______, filed on Apr. 15, 2014, entitled, “Building ProfilesAssociated with Vehicle Users” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-543-PCT);PCT/US14/______, filed on Apr. 15, 2014, entitled “Access andPortability of User Profiles Stored as Templates” (Attorney Docket No.6583-544-PCT); PCT/US14/______, filed on Apr. 15, 2014, entitled “UserInterface and Virtual Personality Presentation Based on User Profile”(Attorney Docket No. 6583-547-PCT); PCT/US14/______, filed on Apr. 15,2014, entitled “Creating Targeted Advertising Profiles Based on UserBehavior” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-549-PCT); PCT/US14/______, filed onApr. 15, 2014, entitled “Behavior Modification via Altered Map RoutesBased on User Profile Information” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-550-PCT);PCT/US14/______, filed on Apr. 15, 2014, entitled “VehicleLocation-Based Home Automation Triggers” (Attorney Docket No.6583-556-PCT); PCT/US14/______, filed on Apr. 15, 2014, entitled“Vehicle Initiated Communications with Third Parties via VirtualPersonalities” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-559-PCT); PCT/US14/______,filed on Apr. 15, 2014, entitled “Vehicle Intruder Alert Detection andIndication” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-562-PCT); PCT/US14/______, filedon Apr. 15, 2014, entitled “Driver Facts Behavior Information StorageSystem” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-565-PCT); PCT/US14/______, filed onApr. 15, 2014, entitled “Synchronization Between Vehicle and User DeviceCalendar” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-567-PCT); PCT/US14/______, filed onApr. 15, 2014, entitled “User Gesture Control of Vehicle Features”(Attorney Docket No. 6583-569-PCT); PCT/US14/______, filed on Apr. 15,2014, entitled “Central Network for the Automated Control of VehicularTraffic” (Attorney Docket No. 6583-574-PCT); and PCT/US14/______, filedon Apr. 15, 2014, entitled “Vehicle-Based Multimode Discovery” (AttorneyDocket No. 6583-585-PCT). The entire disclosures of the applicationslisted above are hereby incorporated by reference, in their entirety,for all that they teach and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Whether using private, commercial, or public transport, the movement ofpeople and/or cargo has become a major industry. In today'sinterconnected world, daily travel is essential to engaging in commerce.Commuting to and from work can account for a significant portion of atraveler's day. As a result, vehicle manufacturers have begun to focuson making this commute, and other journeys, more enjoyable.

Currently, vehicle manufacturers attempt to entice travelers to use aspecific conveyance based on any number of features. Most of thesefeatures focus on vehicle safety or efficiency. From the addition ofsafety-restraints, air-bags, and warning systems to more efficientengines, motors, and designs, the vehicle industry has worked to appeasethe supposed needs of the traveler. Recently, however, vehiclemanufactures have shifted their focus to user and passenger comfort as aprimary concern. Making an individual more comfortable while travelinginstills confidence and pleasure in using a given vehicle, increasing anindividual's preference for a given manufacturer and/or vehicle type.

One way to instill comfort in a vehicle is to create an environmentwithin the vehicle similar to that of an individual's home. Integratingfeatures in a vehicle that are associated with comfort found in anindividual's home can ease a traveler's transition from home to vehicle.Several manufacturers have added comfort features in vehicles such asthe following: leather seats, adaptive and/or personal climate controlsystems, music and media players, ergonomic controls, and, in somecases, Internet connectivity. However, because these manufacturers haveadded features to a conveyance, they have built comfort around a vehicleand failed to build a vehicle around comfort.

SUMMARY

There is a need for a vehicle ecosystem, which can integrate bothphysical and mental comforts, while seamlessly communicating withcurrent electronic devices to result in a totally intuitive andimmersive user experience. These and other needs are addressed by thevarious aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations of the presentdisclosure. Also, while the disclosure is presented in terms ofexemplary and optional embodiments, it should be appreciated thatindividual aspects of the disclosure can be separately claimed.

Exemplary aspects are directed toward:

A system to access one or more user profiles that govern one or morevehicle functions comprising:means for verifying, using a processor, one or more of biometricinformation, gesture recognition, facial recognition and deviceidentification information, that a user has authority to access the oneor more user profiles, the one or more profiles being stored in one ormore of a vehicle, a cloud and a communications device; andmeans for allowing the user to make one or more edits to the one or moreuser profiles.

A system to associate a user profile with a vehicle comprising:

an import/export module adapted to receive the user profile from one ormore of a communications device, a cloud, another vehicle and acomputing device;

a profile subsystem module adapted to integrate the user profile intothe vehicle; and

a position detection module adapted to determine a position of the userin the vehicle and one or more of enable and disable certain settings orpreferences in the profile based on the determined position.

Any of the above aspects, further comprising utilizing one or more ofNFC, RFID, Bluetooth®, wireless and IR communications to transfer theuser profile.

Any of the above aspects, further comprising a dock adapted to pair thecommunications device with the vehicle.

Any of the above aspects, wherein feedback is provided to the user via adisplay of which settings or preferences were enabled or disabled.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the determined position is driver,front seat passenger, back seat passenger or front seatpassenger/alternate driver.

Any of the above aspects, wherein a communication session is establishedbetween the communications device and the vehicle.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the user profile is received fromanother vehicle.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the user profile is retrieved from arental car agency profile repository.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the user profile is exported to one ormore of the communications device, the cloud, another vehicle and thecomputing device.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the user profile on the communicationsdevice is updated upon the user leaving the vehicle.

Any of the above aspects, wherein an updated profile is received at thecommunications device, and both the updated profile and the user profileare stored.

Any of the above aspects, wherein a user can select from multipleprofiles for use in the vehicle.

A method to associate a user profile with a vehicle comprising:

receiving the user profile from one or more of a communications device,a cloud, another vehicle and a computing device;

integrating the user profile into the vehicle; and

determining a position of the user in the vehicle and one or more ofenable and disable certain settings or preferences in the profile basedon the determined position.

Any of the above aspects, further comprising utilizing one or more ofNFC, RFID, Bluetooth®, wireless and IR communications to transfer theuser profile.

Any of the above aspects, further comprising docking the communicationsdevice with the vehicle.

Any of the above aspects, further comprising providing feedback to theuser via a display of which settings or preferences were enabled ordisabled.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the determined position is driver,front seat passenger, back seat passenger or front seatpassenger/alternate driver.

Any of the above aspects, further comprising establishing acommunication session between the communications device and the vehicle.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the user profile is received fromanother vehicle.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the user profile is retrieved from arental car agency profile repository.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the user profile is exported to one ormore of the communications device, the cloud, another vehicle and thecomputing device.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the user profile on the communicationsdevice is updated upon the user leaving the vehicle.

Any of the above aspects, wherein an updated profile is received at thecommunications device, and both the updated profile and the user profileare stored.

Any of the above aspects, wherein a user can select from multipleprofiles for use in the vehicle.

A non-transitory computer readable information storage media havingstored thereon instructions, that when executed by a processor, cause tobe performed a method to associate a user profile with a vehiclecomprising:

receiving the user profile from one or more of a communications device,a cloud, another vehicle and a computing device;

-   -   integrating the user profile into the vehicle; and

determining a position of the user in the vehicle and one or more ofenable and disable certain settings or preferences in the profile basedon the determined position.

Any of the above aspects, further comprising utilizing one or more ofNFC, RFID, Bluetooth®, wireless and IR communications to transfer theuser profile.

A system to associate a user profile with a vehicle comprising:

means for receiving the user profile from one or more of acommunications device, a cloud, another vehicle and a computing device;

means for integrating the user profile into the vehicle; and

means for determining a position of the user in the vehicle and one ormore of enable and disable certain settings or preferences in theprofile based on the determined position.

A system to associate a user profile with a vehicle comprising:

a system adapted to receive a reservation for a vehicle rental, thesystem querying a user if they would like to associate their userprofile with a rental vehicle; and

when the user would like to associate their user profile with the rentalvehicle, locating and uploading their user profile and associating theiruser profile with the reservation, and

when the user does not wish to associate their user profile with therental vehicle, querying the user if they would like to create a newprofile or rent the vehicle without a profile.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the system further queries the user toassociate a position in the vehicle with their user profile.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the system further queries the user toassociate a position in the vehicle with one or more additional userprofiles.

Any of the above aspects, further comprising an advertising moduleadapted to send one or more ads to one or more of the rental vehicle anda communications device associated with the user.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the user profile is initially storedon a communications device, a tablet, a smartphone and in a cloud.

Any of the above aspects, wherein a third party is capable ofassociating the user profile with the reservation.

Any of the above aspects, wherein, after completion of the reservation,the user is provided the option of associating their profile back withtheir communication device.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the communications device is used as akey for the vehicle.

Any of the above aspects, wherein target advertising is provided to thevehicle at least based on the profile.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the user's profile is locatable by thesystem through the use of a telephone number.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the user's profile is automaticallyassociated with a specific vehicle upon completion of a rental contract.

A method to associate a user profile with a vehicle comprising:

receiving a reservation for a vehicle rental, the system querying a userif they would like to associate their user profile with a rentalvehicle; and

when the user would like to associate their user profile with the rentalvehicle, locating and uploading their user profile and associating theiruser profile with the reservation, and

when the user does not wish to associate their user profile with therental vehicle, querying the user if they would like to create a newprofile or rent the vehicle without a profile.

Any of the above aspects, further comprising querying the user toassociate a position in the vehicle with their user profile.

Any of the above aspects, further comprising querying the user toassociate a position in the vehicle with one or more additional userprofiles.

Any of the above aspects, further comprising sending one or more ads toone or more of the rental vehicle and a communications device associatedwith the user.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the user profile is initially storedon a communications device, a tablet, a smartphone and in a cloud.

Any of the above aspects, wherein a third party is capable ofassociating the user profile with the reservation.

Any of the above aspects, wherein, after completion of the reservation,the user is provided the option of associating their profile back withtheir communication device.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the communications device is used as akey for the vehicle.

Any of the above aspects, wherein target advertising is provided to thevehicle at least based on the profile.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the user's profile is locatable by thesystem through the use of a telephone number.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the user's profile is automaticallyassociated with a specific vehicle upon completion of a rental contract.

A non-transitory computer readable information storage media havingstored thereon instructions, that when executed by a processor, cause tobe performed a method to associate a user profile with a vehiclecomprising:

receiving a reservation for a vehicle rental, the system querying a userif they would like to associate their user profile with a rentalvehicle; and

when the user would like to associate their user profile with the rentalvehicle, locating and uploading their user profile and associating theiruser profile with the reservation, and

when the user does not wish to associate their user profile with therental vehicle, querying the user if they would like to create a newprofile or rent the vehicle without a profile.

A system for associating a user profile with a vehicle comprising:

means for receiving a reservation for a vehicle rental; and

means for querying a user if they would like to associate their userprofile with a rental vehicle; and

when the user would like to associate their user profile with the rentalvehicle, locating and uploading their user profile and associating theiruser profile with the reservation, and

when the user does not wish to associate their user profile with therental vehicle, querying the user if they would like to create a newprofile or rent the vehicle without a profile.

A system that reports one or more vehicle conditions comprising:

a vehicle reporting module adapted to receive one or more of a request,a smart calendar item, a trigger and context information, and determinewhat one or more types of information should be monitored;

a communication system adapted to forward one or more of the one or moretypes of information to one or more destinations.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the one or more destinations include asmartphone, a communications device and a remote access device.

Any of the above aspects, wherein a smart calendar module initiates oneor more triggers, the initiation based on one or more calendared events.

Any of the above aspects, wherein a context module determines context ofthe vehicle and based on one or more thresholds, initiates the trigger.

Any of the above aspects, wherein a context module cooperates with abreathalyzer and determines when monitoring should commence.

Any of the above aspects, wherein one or more of images, video, audio,GPS information, location information, passenger information and time atlocation information are monitored.

Any of the above aspects, wherein a parental control module initiatesthe request to begin monitoring.

Any of the above aspects, wherein one or more of an expression, facialID and gestures are the trigger.

Any of the above aspects, wherein a remote access device can establishone or more of audio and video communication with the vehicle, and canalso control one or more vehicle functions.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the remote access device is acommunications device, a smartphone, a tablet computer and a computer.

A method to report one or more vehicle conditions comprising:

receiving one or more of a request, a smart calendar item, a trigger andcontext information, and determine what one or more types of informationshould be monitored;

forwarding one or more of the one or more types of information to one ormore destinations.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the one or more destinations include asmartphone, a communications device and a remote access device.

Any of the above aspects, wherein a smart calendar module initiates oneor more triggers, the initiation based on one or more calendared events.

Any of the above aspects, wherein a context module determines context ofthe vehicle and based on one or more thresholds, initiates the trigger.

Any of the above aspects, wherein a context module cooperates with abreathalyzer and determines when monitoring should commence.

Any of the above aspects, wherein one or more of images, video, audio,GPS information, location information, passenger information and time atlocation information are monitored.

Any of the above aspects, wherein a parental control module initiatesthe request to begin monitoring.

Any of the above aspects, wherein one or more of an expression, facialID and gestures are the trigger.

Any of the above aspects, wherein a remote access device can establishone or more of audio and video communication with the vehicle, and canalso control one or more vehicle functions.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the remote access device is acommunications device, a smartphone, a tablet computer and a computer.

A non-transitory computer readable information storage media havingstored thereon instructions, that when executed by a processor, cause tobe performed a method to report one or more vehicle conditionscomprising:

receiving one or more of a request, a smart calendar item, a trigger andcontext information, and determine what one or more types of informationshould be monitored;

forwarding one or more of the one or more types of information to one ormore destinations.

A system to report one or more vehicle conditions comprising:

means for receiving one or more of a request, a smart calendar item, atrigger and context information, and determine what one or more types ofinformation should be monitored;

means for forwarding one or more of the one or more types of informationto one or more destinations.

A parental control system for a vehicle comprising:

a parental control module adapted to limit one or more vehicle functionsbased on one or more rules; anda profile module adapted to interact with the parental control module tolimit the one or more vehicle functions based on whether the profile isassociated with a driver or a passenger.

Any of the above aspects, wherein vehicle reporting is activated.

Any of the above aspects, wherein context sensing is enabled.

Any of the above aspects, wherein communications are established withone or more remote devices.

Any of the above aspects, wherein one or more rules based functions areenabled or disabled, wherein the one or more rules based functionsinclude at least one vehicle operational function.

Any of the above aspects, wherein real-time communications areestablished between the vehicle and a communications device or acomputing device.

Any of the above aspects, wherein global context awareness is enabledand communications established with one or more smart systems.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the parental control module isactivated based on one or more of a facial recognition and a profileassociated with the vehicle.

Any of the above aspects, wherein real-time communications audio orvideo communications are established between the vehicle and acommunications device or a computing device.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the one or more vehicle functions arelimited based on a determined context of one or more of the vehicle andone or more passengers.

Any of the above aspects, wherein information from a local or remotebreathalyzer is used as input to determine whether to limit the one ormore vehicle functions.

A parental control method for a vehicle comprising:

limiting one or more vehicle functions based on one or more rules; andinteracting with the parental control module to limit the one or morevehicle functions based on whether the profile is associated with adriver or a passenger.

Any of the above aspects, wherein vehicle reporting is activated.

Any of the above aspects, wherein context sensing is enabled.

Any of the above aspects, wherein communications are established withone or more remote devices.

Any of the above aspects, wherein one or more rules based functions areenabled or disabled, wherein the one or more rules based functionsinclude at least one vehicle operational function.

Any of the above aspects, wherein real-time communications areestablished between the vehicle and a communications device or acomputing device.

Any of the above aspects, wherein global context awareness is enabledand communications established with one or more smart systems.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the parental control module isactivated based on one or more of a facial recognition and a profileassociated with the vehicle.

Any of the above aspects, wherein real-time communications audio orvideo communications are established between the vehicle and acommunications device or a computing device.

Any of the above aspects, wherein the one or more vehicle functions arelimited based on a determined context of one or more of the vehicle andone or more passengers.

Any of the above aspects, wherein information from a local or remotebreathalyzer is used as input to determine whether to limit the one ormore vehicle functions.

A parental control system for a vehicle comprising:

means for limiting one or more vehicle functions based on one or morerules; andmeans for interacting with the parental control module to limit the oneor more vehicle functions based on whether the profile is associatedwith a driver or a passenger.

A non-transitory computer readable information storage media havingstored thereon instructions, that when executed by a processor, cause tobe performed a parental control method for a vehicle comprising:

limiting one or more vehicle functions based on one or more rules; andinteracting with the parental control module to limit the one or morevehicle functions based on whether the profile is associated with adriver or a passenger.

The present disclosure can provide a number of advantages depending onthe particular aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. The above andother advantages will be apparent from the disclosure.

The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-endedexpressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. Forexample, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at leastone of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B,or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. Assuch, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more,” and “at least one” can beused interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms“comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably.

The term “automatic” and variations thereof, as used herein, refer toany process or operation done without material human input when theprocess or operation is performed. However, a process or operation canbe automatic, even though performance of the process or operation usesmaterial or immaterial human input, if the input is received before theperformance of the process or operation. Human input is deemed to bematerial if such input influences how the process or operation will beperformed. Human input that consents to the performance of the processor operation is not deemed to be “material.”

The term “automotive navigation system” can refer to a satellitenavigation system designed for use in vehicles. It typically uses a GPSnavigation device to acquire position data to locate the user on a roadin the unit's map database. Using the road database, the unit can givedirections to other locations along roads also in its database. Deadreckoning using distance data from sensors attached to the drivetrain, agyroscope and an accelerometer can be used for greater reliability, asGPS signal loss and/or multipath can occur due to urban canyons ortunnels.

The term “bus” and variations thereof, as used herein, can refer to asubsystem that transfers information and/or data between variouscomponents. A bus generally refers to the collection communicationhardware interface, interconnects, bus architecture, standard, and/orprotocol defining the communication scheme for a communication systemand/or communication network. A bus may also refer to a part of acommunication hardware that interfaces the communication hardware withthe interconnects that connect to other components of the correspondingcommunication network. The bus may be for a wired network, such as aphysical bus, or wireless network, such as part of an antenna orhardware that couples the communication hardware with the antenna. A busarchitecture supports a defined format in which information and/or datais arranged when sent and received through a communication network. Aprotocol may define the format and rules of communication of a busarchitecture.

The terms “communication device,” “smartphone,” and “mobile device,” andvariations thereof, as used herein, can be used interchangeably and mayinclude any type of device capable of communicating with one or more ofanother device and/or across a communications network, via acommunications protocol, and the like. Exemplary communication devicesmay include but are not limited to smartphones, handheld computers,laptops, netbooks, notebook computers, subnotebooks, tablet computers,scanners, portable gaming devices, phones, pagers, GPS modules, portablemusic players, and other Internet-enabled and/or network-connecteddevices.

A “communication modality” can refer to any protocol- or standarddefined or specific communication session or interaction, such asVoice-Over-Internet-Protocol (“VoIP), cellular communications (e.g.,IS-95, 1G, 2G, 3G, 3.5G, 4G, 4G/IMT-Advanced standards, 3GPP, WIMAX™,GSM, CDMA, CDMA2000, EDGE, 1xEVDO, iDEN, GPRS, HSPDA, TDMA, UMA, UMTS,ITU-R, and 5G), Bluetooth™, text or instant messaging (e.g., AIM, Blauk,eBuddy, Gadu-Gadu, IBM Lotus Sametime, ICQ, iMessage, IMVU, Lync, MXit,Paltalk, Skype, Tencent QQ, Windows Live Messenger™ or MSN Messenger™,Wireclub, Xfire, and Yahoo! Messenger™), email, Twitter (e.g.,tweeting), Digital Service Protocol (DSP), and the like.

The term “communication system” or “communication network” andvariations thereof, as used herein, can refer to a collection ofcommunication components capable of one or more of transmission, relay,interconnect, control, or otherwise manipulate information or data fromat least one transmitter to at least one receiver. As such, thecommunication may include a range of systems supporting point-to-pointor broadcasting of the information or data. A communication system mayrefer to the collection individual communication hardware as well as theinterconnects associated with and connecting the individualcommunication hardware. Communication hardware may refer to dedicatedcommunication hardware or may refer a processor coupled with acommunication means (i.e., an antenna) and running software capable ofusing the communication means to send and/or receive a signal within thecommunication system. Interconnect refers some type of wired or wirelesscommunication link that connects various components, such ascommunication hardware, within a communication system. A communicationnetwork may refer to a specific setup of a communication system with thecollection of individual communication hardware and interconnects havingsome definable network topography. A communication network may includewired and/or wireless network having a pre-set to an ad hoc networkstructure.

The term “computer-readable medium,” as used herein refers to anytangible storage and/or transmission medium that participates inproviding instructions to a processor for execution. Such a medium maytake many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media,volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, forexample, non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), or magnetic oroptical disks. Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as mainmemory. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, afloppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any othermagnetic medium, magneto-optical medium, a compact disc read only memory(CD-ROM), any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any otherphysical medium with patterns of holes, a random access memory (RAM), aprogrammable read only memory (PROM), and erasable programmable readonly memory EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, a solid state medium like a memorycard, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as describedhereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read. Adigital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-contained informationarchive or set of archives is considered a distribution mediumequivalent to a tangible storage medium. When the computer-readablemedia is configured as a database, it is to be understood that thedatabase may be any type of database, such as relational, hierarchical,object-oriented, and/or the like. Accordingly, the disclosure isconsidered to include a tangible storage medium or distribution mediumand prior art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations of the present disclosure are stored. It shouldbe noted that any computer readable medium that is not a signaltransmission may be considered non-transitory.

The terms dash and dashboard and variations thereof, as used herein, maybe used interchangeably and can be any panel and/or area of a vehicledisposed adjacent to an operator, user, and/or passenger. Dashboards mayinclude, but are not limited to, one or more control panel(s),instrument housing(s), head unit(s), indicator(s), gauge(s), meter(s),light(s), audio equipment, computer(s), screen(s), display(s), HUDunit(s), and graphical user interface(s).

The term “module” as used herein refers to any known or later developedhardware, software, firmware, artificial intelligence, fuzzy logic, orcombination of hardware and software that is capable of performing thefunctionality associated with that element.

The term “desktop” refers to a metaphor used to portray systems. Adesktop is generally considered a “surface” that may include pictures,called icons, widgets, folders, etc. that can activate and/or showapplications, windows, cabinets, files, folders, documents, and othergraphical items. The icons are generally selectable to initiate a taskthrough user interface interaction to allow a user to executeapplications and/or conduct other operations.

The term “display” refers to a portion of a physical screen used todisplay the output of a computer to a user.

The term “displayed image” refers to an image produced on the display. Atypical displayed image is a window or desktop. The displayed image mayoccupy all or a portion of the display.

The term “display orientation” refers to the way in which a rectangulardisplay is oriented for viewing. The two most common types of displayorientations are portrait and landscape. In landscape mode, the displayis oriented such that the width of the display is greater than theheight of the display (such as a 4:3 ratio, which is 4 units wide and 3units tall, or a 16:9 ratio, which is 16 units wide and 9 units tall).Stated differently, the longer dimension of the display is orientedsubstantially horizontal in landscape mode while the shorter dimensionof the display is oriented substantially vertical. In the portrait mode,by contrast, the display is oriented such that the width of the displayis less than the height of the display. Stated differently, the shorterdimension of the display is oriented substantially horizontal in theportrait mode while the longer dimension of the display is orientedsubstantially vertical. A multi-screen display can have one compositedisplay that encompasses all the screens. The composite display can havedifferent display characteristics based on the various orientations ofthe device.

The term “electronic address” can refer to any contactable address,including a telephone number, instant message handle, e-mail address,Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”), Global Universal Identifier (“GUID”),Universal Resource Identifier (“URI”), Address of Record (“AOR”),electronic alias in a database, etc., combinations thereof.

The term “gesture” refers to a user action that expresses an intendedidea, action, meaning, result, and/or outcome. The user action caninclude manipulating a device (e.g., opening or closing a device,changing a device orientation, moving a trackball or wheel, etc.),movement of a body part in relation to the device, movement of animplement or tool in relation to the device, audio inputs, etc. Agesture may be made on a device (such as on the screen) or with thedevice to interact with the device.

The term “gesture capture” refers to a sense or otherwise a detection ofan instance and/or type of user gesture. The gesture capture can bereceived by sensors in three-dimensional space. Further, the gesturecapture can occur in one or more areas of a screen, for example, on atouch-sensitive display or a gesture capture region. A gesture regioncan be on the display, where it may be referred to as a touch sensitivedisplay, or off the display, where it may be referred to as a gesturecapture area.

The terms “infotainment” and “infotainment system” may be usedinterchangeably and can refer to the hardware/software products, data,content, information, and/or systems, which can be built into or addedto vehicles to enhance driver and/or passenger experience. Infotainmentmay provide media and/or multimedia content. An example isinformation-based media content or programming that also includesentertainment content.

A “multi-screen application” refers to an application that is capable ofproducing one or more windows that may simultaneously occupy one or morescreens. A multi-screen application commonly can operate insingle-screen mode in which one or more windows of the application aredisplayed only on one screen or in multi-screen mode in which one ormore windows are displayed simultaneously on multiple screens.

A “single-screen application” refers to an application that is capableof producing one or more windows that may occupy only a single screen ata time.

The terms “online community,” “e-community,” or “virtual community” canmean a group of people that interact via a computer network, for social,professional, educational, and/or other purposes. The interaction canuse a variety of media formats, including wikis, blogs, chat rooms,Internet forums, instant messaging, email, and other forms of electronicmedia. Many media formats may be used in social software separatelyand/or in combination, including text-based chat rooms and forums thatuse voice, video text or avatars.

The term “satellite positioning system receiver” can refer to a wirelessreceiver or transceiver to receive and/or send location signals fromand/or to a satellite positioning system (SPS), such as the GlobalPositioning System (“GPS”) (US), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo positioningsystem (EU), Compass navigation system (China), and RegionalNavigational Satellite System (India).

The term “social network service” may include a service provider thatbuilds online communities of people, who share interests and/oractivities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and/oractivities of others. Social network services can be network-based andmay provide a variety of ways for users to interact, such as e-mail andinstant messaging services.

The term “social network” can refer to a network-based social network.

The term “screen,” “touch screen,” “touchscreen,” or “touch-sensitivedisplay” refers to a physical structure that enables the user tointeract with the computer by touching areas on the screen and providesinformation to a user through a display. The touch screen may sense usercontact in a number of different ways, such as by a change in anelectrical parameter (e.g., resistance or capacitance), acoustic wavevariations, infrared radiation proximity detection, light variationdetection, and the like. In a resistive touch screen, for example,normally separated conductive and resistive metallic layers in thescreen pass an electrical current. When a user touches the screen, thetwo layers make contact in the contacted location, whereby a change inelectrical field is noted and the coordinates of the contacted locationcalculated. In a capacitive touch screen, a capacitive layer storeselectrical charge, which is discharged to the user upon contact with thetouch screen, causing a decrease in the charge of the capacitive layer.The decrease is measured, and the contacted location coordinatesdetermined. In a surface acoustic wave touch screen, an acoustic wave istransmitted through the screen, and the acoustic wave is disturbed byuser contact. A receiving transducer detects the user contact instanceand determines the contacted location coordinates.

The term “window” refers to a, typically rectangular, displayed image onat least part of a display that contains or provides content differentfrom the rest of the screen. The window may obscure the desktop. Thedimensions and orientation of the window may be configurable either byanother module or by a user. When the window is expanded, the window canoccupy substantially all of the display space on a screen or screens.

The terms “determine,” “calculate,” and “compute,” and variationsthereof, as used herein, are used interchangeably and include any typeof methodology, process, mathematical operation, or technique.

It shall be understood that the term “means,” as used herein, shall begiven its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C.,Section 112, Paragraph 6 or other applicable law. Accordingly, a claimincorporating the term “means” shall cover all structures, materials, oracts set forth herein, and all of the equivalents thereof. Further, thestructures, materials or acts and the equivalents thereof shall includeall those described in the summary of the invention, brief descriptionof the drawings, detailed description, abstract, and claims themselves.

The terms “vehicle,” “car,” “automobile,” and variations thereof may beused interchangeably herein and can refer to a device or structure fortransporting animate and/or inanimate or tangible objects (e.g., personsand/or things), such as a self-propelled conveyance. A vehicle as usedherein can include any conveyance or model of a conveyance, where theconveyance was originally designed for the purpose of moving one or moretangible objects, such as people, animals, cargo, and the like. The term“vehicle” does not require that a conveyance moves or is capable ofmovement. Typical vehicles may include but are in no way limited tocars, trucks, motorcycles, busses, automobiles, trains, railedconveyances, boats, ships, marine conveyances, submarine conveyances,airplanes, space craft, flying machines, human-powered conveyances, andthe like.

The term “profile,” as used herein, can refer to any data structure,data store, and/or database that includes one or more items ofinformation associated with a vehicle, a vehicle system, a device (e.g.,a mobile device, laptop, mobile phone, etc.), or a person.

The term “in communication with,” as used herein, refers to anycoupling, connection, or interaction using electrical signals toexchange information or data, using any system, hardware, software,protocol, or format, regardless of whether the exchange occurswirelessly or over a wired connection.

The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide anunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neitheran extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its variousaspects, embodiments, and/or configurations. It is intended neither toidentify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate thescope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of thedisclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detaileddescription presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure are possibleutilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features setforth above or described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a vehicle operating environment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a vehicle system;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a vehicle control systemenvironment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a vehicle communicationssubsystem;

FIG. 5A is a first block diagram of an embodiment of a vehicle interiorenvironment separated into areas and/or zones;

FIG. 5B is a second block diagram of an embodiment of a vehicle interiorenvironment separated into areas and/or zones;

FIG. 5C is a third block diagram of an embodiment of a vehicle interiorenvironment separated into areas and/or zones;

FIG. 6A depicts an embodiment of a sensor configuration for a vehicle;

FIG. 6B depicts an embodiment of a sensor configuration for a zone of avehicle;

FIG. 7A is a block diagram of an embodiment of interior sensors for avehicle;

FIG. 7B is a block diagram of an embodiment of exterior sensors for avehicle;

FIG. 8A is a block diagram of an embodiment of a media subsystem for avehicle;

FIG. 8B is a block diagram of an embodiment of a user and deviceinteraction subsystem for a vehicle;

FIG. 8C is a block diagram of an embodiment of a Navigation subsystemfor a vehicle;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a communications subsystemfor a vehicle;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a software architecturefor the vehicle control system;

FIG. 11A is a graphical representation of an embodiment of a gesturethat a user may perform to provide input to a vehicle control system;

FIG. 11B is a graphical representation of an embodiment of a gesturethat a user may perform to provide input to a vehicle control system;

FIG. 11C is a graphical representation of an embodiment of a gesturethat a user may perform to provide input to a vehicle control system;

FIG. 11D is a graphical representation of an embodiment of a gesturethat a user may perform to provide input to a vehicle control system;

FIG. 11E is a graphical representation of an embodiment of a gesturethat a user may perform to provide input to a vehicle control system;

FIG. 11F is a graphical representation of an embodiment of a gesturethat a user may perform to provide input to a vehicle control system;

FIG. 11G is a graphical representation of an embodiment of a gesturethat a user may perform to provide input to a vehicle control system;

FIG. 11H is a graphical representation of an embodiment of a gesturethat a user may perform to provide input to a vehicle control system;

FIG. 11I is a graphical representation of an embodiment of a gesturethat a user may perform to provide input to a vehicle control system;

FIG. 11J is a graphical representation of an embodiment of a gesturethat a user may perform to provide input to a vehicle control system;

FIG. 11K is a graphical representation of an embodiment of a gesturethat a user may perform to provide input to a vehicle control system;

FIG. 12A is a diagram of an embodiment of a data structure for storinginformation about a user of a vehicle;

FIG. 12B is a diagram of an embodiment of a data structure for storinginformation about a device associated with or in a vehicle;

FIG. 12C is a diagram of an embodiment of a data structure for storinginformation about a system of a vehicle;

FIG. 12D is a diagram of an embodiment of a data structure for storinginformation about a vehicle;

FIG. 13 is a flow or process diagram of a method for storing one or moresettings associated with a user;

FIG. 14 is a flow or process diagram of a method for establishing one ormore settings associated with a user;

FIG. 15 is a flow or process diagram of a method for storing one or moresettings associated with a user;

FIG. 16 is a flow or process diagram of a method for storing one or moregestures associated with a user;

FIG. 17 is a flow or process diagram of a method for reacting to agesture performed by a user;

FIG. 18 is a flow or process diagram of a method for storing health dataassociated with a user;

FIG. 19 is a flow or process diagram of a method for reacting to agesture performed by a user;

FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment of additional vehicle subsystems andcomponents;

FIG. 21 illustrates another embodiment of additional vehicle subsystemsand components;

FIG. 22 illustrates another embodiment of additional vehicle subsystemsand components;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for profilemanagement;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating vehicle to mobile devicecommunication;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for profiletransferring;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for associatingone or more profiles with a reservation;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for vehiclemonitoring;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for parentalcontrol;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for globalcontext awareness.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have thesame reference label. Further, various components of the same type maybe distinguished by following the reference label by a letter thatdistinguishes among the similar components. If only the first referencelabel is used in the specification, the description is applicable to anyone of the similar components having the same first reference labelirrespective of the second reference letter or label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Presented herein are embodiments of systems, devices, processes, datastructures, user interfaces, etc. The embodiments may relate to anautomobile and/or an automobile environment. The automobile environmentcan include systems associated with the automobile and devices or othersystems in communication with the automobile and/or automobile systems.Furthermore, the systems can relate to communications systems and/ordevices and may be capable of communicating with other devices and/or toan individual or group of individuals. Further, the systems can receiveuser input in unique ways. The overall design and functionality of thesystems provide for an enhanced user experience making the automobilemore useful and more efficient. As described herein, the automobilesystems may be electrical, mechanical, electro-mechanical,software-based, and/or combinations thereof.

A vehicle environment 100 that may contain a vehicle ecosystem is shownin FIG. 1. The vehicle environment 100 can contain areas associated witha vehicle or conveyance 104. The vehicle 104 is shown as a car but canbe any type of conveyance. The environment 100 can include at leastthree zones. A first zone 108 may be inside a vehicle 104. The zone 108includes any interior space, trunk space, engine compartment, or otherassociated space within or associated with the vehicle 104. The interiorzone 108 can be defined by one or more techniques, for example,geo-fencing.

A second zone 112 may be delineated by line 120. The zone 112 is createdby a range of one or more sensors associated with the vehicle 104. Thus,the area 112 is exemplary of the range of those sensors and what can bedetected by those sensors associated with the vehicle 104. Althoughsensor range is shown as a fixed and continuous oval, the sensor rangemay be dynamic and/or discontinuous. For example, a ranging sensor(e.g., radar, lidar, ladar, etc.) may provide a variable range dependingon output power, signal characteristics, or environmental conditions(e.g., rain, fog, clear, etc.). The rest of the environment includes allspace beyond the range of the sensors and is represented by space 116.Thus, the environment 100 may have an area 116 that includes all areasbeyond the sensor range 112. The area 116 may include locations oftravel that the vehicle 104 may proceed to in the future.

An embodiment of a vehicle system 200 is shown in FIG. 2. The vehiclesystem 200 may comprise hardware and/or software that conduct variousoperations for or with the vehicle 104. The operations can include, butare not limited to, providing information to the user 216, receivinginput from the user 216, and controlling the functions or operation ofthe vehicle 104, etc. The vehicle system 200 can include a vehiclecontrol system 204. The vehicle control system 204 can be any type ofcomputing system operable to conduct the operations as described herein.An example of a vehicle control system may be as described inconjunction with FIG. 3.

The vehicle control system 204 may interact with a memory or storagesystem 208 that stores system data. System data 208 may be any type ofdata needed for the vehicle control system 204 to control effectivelythe vehicle 104. The system data 208 can represent any type of databaseor other storage system. Thus, the system data 208 can be a flat filedata system, an object-oriented data system, or some other data systemthat may interface with the vehicle control system 204.

The vehicle control system 204 may communicate with a device or userinterface 212, 248. The user interface 212, 248 may be operable toreceive user input either through touch input, on one or more userinterface buttons, via voice command, via one or more image sensors, orthrough a graphical user interface that may include a gesture captureregion, as described in conjunction with the other figures providedherein. Further, the symbol 212, 248 can represent a device that islocated or associated with the vehicle 104. The device 212, 248 can be amobile device, including, but not limited to, a mobile telephone, amobile computer, or other type of computing system or device that iseither permanently located in or temporarily associated with, but notnecessarily connected to, the vehicle 104. Thus, the vehicle controlsystem 204 can interface with the device 212, 248 and leverage thedevice's computing capability to provide one or more of the features orfunctions as described herein.

The device or user interface 212, 248 can receive input or provideinformation to a user 216. The user 216 may thus interact with thevehicle control system 204 through the interface or device 212, 248.Further, the device 212, 248 may include or have access to device data220 and/or profile data 252. The device data 220 can be any type of datathat is used in conjunction with the device 212, 248 including, but notlimited to, multimedia data, preferences data, device identificationinformation, or other types of data. The profile data 252 can be anytype of data associated with at least one user 216 including, but in noway limited to, bioinformatics, medical information, driving history,personal information (e.g., home physical address, business physicaladdress, contact addresses, likes, dislikes, hobbies, size, weight,occupation, business contacts—including physical and/or electronicaddresses, personal contacts—including physical and/or electronicaddresses, family members, and personal information related thereto,etc.), other user characteristics, advertising information, usersettings and feature preferences, travel information, associated vehiclepreferences, communication preferences, historical information (e.g.,including historical, current, and/or future travel destinations),Internet browsing history, or other types of data. In any event, thedata may be stored as device data 220 and/or profile data 252 in astorage system similar to that described in conjunction with FIGS. 12Athrough 12D.

As an example, the profile data 252 may include one or more userprofiles. User profiles may be generated based on data gathered from oneor more of vehicle preferences (e.g., seat settings, HVAC settings, dashconfigurations, and the like), recorded settings, geographic locationinformation (e.g., provided by a satellite positioning system (e.g.,GPS), Wi-Fi hotspot, cell tower data, etc.), mobile device information(such as mobile device electronic addresses, Internet browsing historyand content, application store selections, user settings and enabled anddisabled features, and the like), private information (such as userinformation from a social network, user presence information, userbusiness account, and the like), secure data, biometric information,audio information from on board microphones, video information from onboard cameras, Internet browsing history and browsed content using an onboard computer and/or the local area network enabled by the vehicle 104,geographic location information (e.g., a vendor storefront, roadwayname, city name, etc.), and the like.

The profile data 252 may include one or more user accounts. Useraccounts may include access and permissions to one or more settingsand/or feature preferences associated with the vehicle 104,communications, infotainment, content, etc. In one example, a useraccount may allow access to certain settings for a particular user,while another user account may deny access to the settings for anotheruser, and vice versa. The access controlled by the user account may bebased on at least one of a user account priority, role, permission, age,family status, a group priority (e.g., the user account priority of oneor more users, etc.), a group age (e.g., the average age of users in thegroup, a minimum age of the users in the group, a maximum age of theusers in the group, and/or combinations thereof, etc.).

For example, a user 216 may be allowed to purchase applications (e.g.,software, etc.) for the vehicle 104 and/or a device associated with thevehicle 104 based on information associated with the user account. Thisuser account information may include a preferred payment method,permissions, and/or other account information. As provided herein, theuser account information may be part of the user profile and/or otherdata stored in the profile data 252.

As another example, an adult user (e.g., a user with an age of 18 yearsold and/or over, etc.) may be located in an area of a vehicle 104, suchas a rear passenger area. Continuing this example a child user (e.g., auser with an age of 17 years old and/or less, etc.) may be located inthe same, or close, area. In this example, the user account informationin the profile data 252 associated with both the adult user and thechild user may be used by the vehicle 104 in determining whether contentis appropriate for the area given the age of the child user. Forinstance, a graphic movie containing violence (e.g., a movie associatedwith a mature rating, such as a Motion Picture Association of America(MPAA) rating of “R,” “NC-17,” etc.) may be suitable to present to adisplay device associated with the adult user but may not be acceptableto present to the display device if a 12-year old child user may seeand/or hear the content of the movie.

The vehicle control system 204 may also communicate with or through acommunication network 224. The communication network 224 can representany type of wireless and/or wired communication system that may beincluded within the vehicle 104 or operable to communicate outside thevehicle 104. Thus, the communication network 224 can include a localarea communication capability and a wide area communication capability.For example, the communication network 224 can include a Bluetooth®wireless system, an 802.11x (e.g., 802.11G/802.11N/802.11AC, or thelike, wireless system), a CAN bus, an Ethernet network within thevehicle 104, or other types of communication networks that may functionwith or be associated with the vehicle 104. Further, the communicationnetwork 224 can also include wide area communication capabilities,including one or more of, but not limited to, a cellular communicationcapability, satellite telephone communication capability, a wirelesswide area network communication capability, or other types ofcommunication capabilities that allow for the vehicle control system 204to communicate outside the vehicle 104.

The vehicle control system 204 may communicate through the communicationnetwork 224 to a server 228 that may be located in a facility that isnot within physical proximity to the vehicle 104. Thus, the server 228may represent a cloud computing system or cloud storage that allows thevehicle control system 204 to either gain access to further computingcapabilities or to storage at a location outside of the vehicle 104. Theserver 228 can include a computer processor and memory and be similar toany computing system as understood to one skilled in the art.

Further, the server 228 may be associated with stored data 232. Thestored data 232 may be stored in any system or by any method, asdescribed in conjunction with system data 208, device data 220, and/orprofile data 252. The stored data 232 can include information that maybe associated with one or more users 216 or associated with one or morevehicles 104. The stored data 232, being stored in a cloud or in adistant facility, may be exchanged among vehicles 104 or may be used bya user 216 in different locations or with different vehicles 104.Additionally or alternatively, the server may be associated with profiledata 252 as provided herein. It is anticipated that the profile data 252may be accessed across the communication network 224 by one or morecomponents of the system 200. Similar to the stored data 232, theprofile data 252, being stored in a cloud or in a distant facility, maybe exchanged among vehicles 104 or may be used by a user 216 indifferent locations or with different vehicles 104.

The vehicle control system 204 may also communicate with one or moresensors 236, 242, which are either associated with the vehicle 104 orcommunicate with the vehicle 104. Vehicle sensors 242 may include one ormore sensors for providing information to the vehicle control system 204that determine or provide information about the environment 100 in whichthe vehicle 104 is operating. Embodiments of these sensors may be asdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 6A-7B. Non-vehicle sensor 236 can beany type of sensor that is not currently associated with the vehicle104. For example, non-vehicle sensor 236 can be sensors in a trafficsystem operated by a third party that provides data to the vehiclecontrol system 204. Further, the non-vehicle sensor(s) 236 can be othertypes of sensors which provide information about the distant environment116 or other information about the vehicle 104 or the environment 100.These non-vehicle sensors 236 may be operated by third parties butprovide information to the vehicle control system 204. Examples ofinformation provided by the sensors 236 and that may be used by thevehicle control system 204 may include weather tracking data, trafficdata, user health tracking data, vehicle maintenance data, or othertypes of data, which may provide environmental or other data to thevehicle control system 204. The vehicle control system 204 may alsoperform signal processing of signals received from one or more sensors236, 242. Such signal processing may include estimation of a measuredparameter from a single sensor, such as multiple measurements of a rangestate parameter from the vehicle 104 to an obstacle, and/or theestimation, blending, or fusion of a measured state parameter frommultiple sensors such as multiple radar sensors or a combination of aladar/lidar range sensor and a radar sensor. Signal processing of suchsensor signal measurements may comprise stochastic signal processing,adaptive signal processing, and/or other signal processing techniquesknown to those skilled in the art.

The various sensors 236, 242 may include one or more sensor memory 244.Embodiments of the sensor memory 244 may be configured to store datacollected by the sensors 236, 242. For example, a temperature sensor maycollect temperature data associated with a vehicle 104, user 216, and/orenvironment, over time. The temperature data may be collectedincrementally, in response to a condition, or at specific time periods.In this example, as the temperature data is collected, it may be storedin the sensor memory 244. In some cases, the data may be stored alongwith an identification of the sensor and a collection time associatedwith the data. Among other things, this stored data may include multipledata points and may be used to track changes in sensor measurements overtime. As can be appreciated, the sensor memory 244 can represent anytype of database or other storage system.

The diagnostic communications module 256 may be configured to receiveand transmit diagnostic signals and information associated with thevehicle 104. Examples of diagnostics signals and information mayinclude, but is in no way limited to, vehicle system warnings, sensordata, vehicle component status, service information, component health,maintenance alerts, recall notifications, predictive analysis, and thelike. Embodiments of the diagnostic communications module 256 may handlewarning/error signals in a predetermined manner. The signals, forinstance, can be presented to one or more of a third party, occupant,vehicle control system 204, and a service provider (e.g., manufacturer,repair facility, etc.).

Optionally, the diagnostic communications module 256 may be utilized bya third party (i.e., a party other than the user 216, etc.) incommunicating vehicle diagnostic information. For instance, amanufacturer may send a signal to a vehicle 104 to determine a statusassociated with one or more components associated with the vehicle 104.In response to receiving the signal, the diagnostic communicationsmodule 256 may communicate with the vehicle control system 204 toinitiate a diagnostic status check. Once the diagnostic status check isperformed, the information may be sent via the diagnostic communicationsmodule 256 to the manufacturer. This example may be especially useful indetermining whether a component recall should be issued based on thestatus check responses returned from a certain number of vehicles.

Wired/wireless transceiver/communications ports 260 may be included. Thewired/wireless transceiver/communications ports 260 may be included tosupport communications over wired networks or links, for example withother communication devices, server devices, and/or peripheral devices.Examples of wired/wireless transceiver/communications ports 260 includeEthernet ports, Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1594, or other interfaceports.

An embodiment of a vehicle control environment 300 including a vehiclecontrol system 204 may be as shown in FIG. 3. Beyond the vehicle controlsystem 204, the vehicle control environment 300 can include one or moreof, but is not limited to, a power source and/or power control module316, a data storage module 320, user interface(s)/input interface(s)324, vehicle subsystems 328, user interaction subsystems 332, GlobalPositioning System (GPS)/Navigation subsystems 336, sensor(s) and/orsensor subsystems 340, communication subsystems 344, media subsystems348, and/or device interaction subsystems 352. The subsystems, modules,components, etc. 316-352 may include hardware, software, firmware,computer readable media, displays, input devices, output devices, etc.or combinations thereof. The system, subsystems, modules, components,etc. 204, 316-352 may communicate over a network or bus 356. Thiscommunication bus 356 may be bidirectional and perform datacommunications using any known or future-developed standard or protocol.An example of the communication bus 356 may be as described inconjunction with FIG. 4.

The vehicle control system 204 can include a processor 304, memory 308,and/or an input/output (I/O) module 312. Thus, the vehicle controlsystem 204 may be a computer system, which can comprise hardwareelements that may be electrically coupled. The hardware elements mayinclude one or more central processing units (CPUs) 304; one or morecomponents of the I/O module 312 including input devices (e.g., a mouse,a keyboard, etc.) and/or one or more output devices (e.g., a displaydevice, a printer, etc.).

The processor 304 may comprise a general purpose programmable processoror controller for executing application programming or instructions. Theprocessor 304 may, optionally, include multiple processor cores, and/orimplement multiple virtual processors. Additionally or alternatively,the processor 304 may include multiple physical processors. As aparticular example, the processor 304 may comprise a speciallyconfigured application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or otherintegrated circuit, a digital signal processor, a controller, ahardwired electronic or logic circuit, a programmable logic device orgate array, a special purpose computer, or the like. The processor 304generally functions to run programming code or instructions implementingvarious functions of the vehicle control system 204.

The input/output module 312 and associated ports may be included tosupport communications over wired or wireless networks or links, forexample with other communication devices, server devices, and/orperipheral devices. Examples of an input/output module 312 include anEthernet port, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1594, or other interface.

The vehicle control system 204 may also include one or more storagedevices 308. By way of example, storage devices 308 may be disk drives,optical storage devices, solid-state storage devices such as a randomaccess memory (“RAM”) and/or a read-only memory (“ROM”), which can beprogrammable, flash-updateable and/or the like. The vehicle controlsystem 204 may additionally include a computer-readable storage mediareader; a communications system (e.g., a modem, a network card (wirelessor wired), an infra-red communication device, etc.); and working memory308, which may include RAM and ROM devices as described above. Thevehicle control system 204 may also include a processing accelerationunit, which can include a digital signal processor (DSP), aspecial-purpose processor, and/or the like.

The computer-readable storage media reader can further be connected to acomputer-readable storage medium, together (and, optionally, incombination with storage device(s)) comprehensively representing remote,local, fixed, and/or removable storage devices plus storage media fortemporarily and/or more permanently containing computer-readableinformation. The communications system may permit data to be exchangedwith an external or internal network and/or any other computer or devicedescribed herein. Moreover, as disclosed herein, the term “storagemedium” may represent one or more devices for storing data, includingread only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic RAM, corememory, magnetic disk storage mediums, optical storage mediums, flashmemory devices, and/or other machine readable mediums for storinginformation.

The vehicle control system 204 may also comprise software elementsincluding an operating system and/or other code, as described inconjunction with FIG. 10. It should be appreciated that alternates tothe vehicle control system 204 may have numerous variations from thatdescribed herein. For example, customized hardware might also be usedand/or particular elements might be implemented in hardware, software(including portable software, such as applets), or both. Further,connection to other computing devices such as network input/outputdevices may be employed.

The power source and/or power control module 316 can include any type ofpower source, including, but not limited to, batteries, alternatingcurrent sources (from connections to a building power system or powerline), solar cell arrays, etc. One or more components or modules mayalso be included to control the power source or change thecharacteristics of the provided power signal. Such modules can includeone or more of, but is not limited to, power regulators, power filters,alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) converters, DC to ACconverters, receptacles, wiring, other converters, etc. The power sourceand/or power control module 316 functions to provide the vehicle controlsystem 204 and any other system with power.

The data storage 320 can include any module for storing, retrieving,and/or managing data in one or more data stores and/or databases. Thedatabase or data stores may reside on a storage medium local to (and/orresident in) the vehicle control system 204 or in the vehicle 104.Alternatively, some of the data storage capability may be remote fromthe vehicle control system 204 or automobile, and in communication(e.g., via a network) to the vehicle control system 204. The database ordata stores may reside in a storage-area network (“SAN”) familiar tothose skilled in the art. Similarly, any necessary files for performingthe functions attributed to the vehicle control system 204 may be storedlocally on the respective vehicle control system 204 and/or remotely, asappropriate. The databases or data stores may be a relational database,and the data storage module 320 may be adapted to store, update, andretrieve data in response to specifically-formatted commands. The datastorage module 320 may also perform data management functions for anyflat file, object oriented, or other type of database or data store.

A first data store that may be part of the vehicle control environment300 is a profile data store 252 for storing data about user profiles anddata associated with the users. A system data store 208 can include dataused by the vehicle control system 204 and/or one or more of thecomponents 324-352 to facilitate the functionality described herein. Thedata stores 208 and/or 252 may be as described in conjunction with FIGS.1 and/or 12A-12D.

The user interface/input interfaces 324 may be as described herein forproviding information or data and/or for receiving input or data from auser. Vehicle systems 328 can include any of the mechanical, electrical,electromechanical, computer, or other systems associated with thefunction of the vehicle 100. For example, vehicle systems 328 caninclude one or more of, but is not limited to, the steering system, thebraking system, the engine and engine control systems, the electricalsystem, the suspension, the drive train, the cruise control system, theradio, the heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) system, thewindows and/or doors, etc. These systems are well known in the art andwill not be described further.

Examples of the other systems and subsystems 324-352 may be as describedfurther herein. For example, the user interface(s)/input interface(s)324 may be as described in FIGS. 2 and 8B; the vehicle subsystems 328may be as described in FIG. 6 a et. seq.; the user interaction subsystem332 may be as described in conjunction with the user/device interactionsubsystem 817 of FIG. 8B; the Navigation subsystem 336 may be asdescribed in FIGS. 6A and 8C; the sensor(s)/sensor subsystem 340 may beas described in FIGS. 7A and 7B; the communication subsystem 344 may beas described in FIGS. 2, 4, 5B, 5C, and 9; the media subsystem 348 maybe as described in FIG. 8A; and, the device interaction subsystem 352may be as described in FIG. 2 and in conjunction with the user/deviceinteraction subsystem 817 of FIG. 8B.

FIG. 4 illustrates an optional communications channel architecture 400and associated communications components. FIG. 4 illustrates some of theoptional components that can be interconnected via the communicationchannels/zones 404. Communication channels/zones 404 can carryinformation on one or more of a wired and/or wireless communicationslink with, in the illustrated example, there being three communicationschannels/zones, 408, 412, and 416.

This optional environment 400 can also include an IP router 420, anoperator cluster 424, one or more storage devices 428, one or moreblades, such as master blade 432, and computational blades 436 and 440.Additionally, the communications channels/zones 404 can interconnect oneor more displays, such as, remote display 1 444, remote display N 448,and console display 452. The communications channels/zones 404 alsointerconnect an access point 456, a Bluetooth® access point/USB hub 460,a Femtocell 464, a storage controller 468, that is connected to one ormore of USB devices 472, DVDs 476, or other storage devices 480. Toassist with managing communications within the communication channel,the environment 400 optionally includes a firewall 484 which will bediscussed hereinafter in greater detail. Other components that couldalso share the communications channel/zones 404 include GPS 488, mediacontroller 492, which is connected to one or more media sources 496, andone or more subsystems, such as subsystem switches 498.

Optionally, the communications channels/zones 404 can be viewed as anI/O network or bus where the communications channels are carried on thesame physical media. Optionally, the communication channels 404 can besplit amongst one or more physical media and/or combined with one ormore wireless communications protocols. Optionally, the communicationschannels 404 can be based on wireless protocols with no physical mediainterconnecting the various elements described herein.

The environment 400 shown in FIG. 4 can include a collection of bladeprocessors that are housed in a “crate.” The crate can have a PC-stylebackplane connector 408 and a backplane Ethernet 408 that allows thevarious blades to communicate with one another using, for example, anEthernet.

Various other functional elements illustrated in FIG. 4 can beintegrated into this crate architecture with, as discussed hereinafter,various zones utilized for security. Optionally, as illustrated in FIG.4, the backplane 404/408 can have two separate Ethernet zones that mayor may not be on the same communications channel. Optionally, the zonesexist on a single communications channel on the I/O network/bus 408.Optionally, the zones are actually on different communications channels,e.g., 412, 416; however, the implementation is not restricted to anyparticular type of configuration. Rather, as illustrated in FIG. 4,there can be a red zone 417 and a green zone 413, and the I/O backplaneon the network/bus 408 that enables standard I/O operations. Thisbackplane or I/O network/bus 408 also optionally can provide powerdistribution to the various modules and blades illustrated in FIG. 4.The red and green Ethernet zones, 417 and 413 respectively, can beimplemented as Ethernet switches, with one on each side of the firewall484. Two Ethernets (untrusted and trusted) are not connected inaccordance with an optional embodiment. Optionally, the connectorgeometry for the firewall can be different for the Ethernet zones thanfor the blades that are a part of the system.

The red zone 417 only needs to go from the modular connector to theinput side of the backplane connector of the firewall 484. While FIG. 4indicates that there are five external red zone connectors to thefirewall 484, provisions can be made for any number of ports with theconnections being made at the access point 456, the Bluetooth® accesspoint (combo controller) 460, Femtocell 464, storage controller 468,and/or firewall 484. Optionally, the external port connections can bemade through a manufacturer configurable modular connector panel, andone or more of the red zone Ethernet ports could be available through acustomer supplied crate which allows, for example, wired Ethernetconnections from a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) to the firewall 484.

The green zone 413 goes from the output side of the firewall 484 andgenerally defines the trusted Ethernet. The Ethernet on the backplane408 essentially implements an Ethernet switch for the entire system,defining the Ethernet backbone of the vehicle 104. All other modules,e.g., blades, etc., can connect to a standard backplane bus and thetrusted Ethernet. Some number of switch ports can be reserved to connectto an output modular connector panel to distribute the Ethernetthroughout the vehicle 104, e.g., connecting such elements as theconsole display 452, remote displays 444, 448, GPS 488, etc. Optionally,only trusted components, either provided or approved by the manufacturerafter testing, can be attached to the green zone 413, which is bydefinition in the trusted Ethernet environment.

Optionally, the environment 400, shown in FIG. 4, utilizes IPv6 overEthernet connections wherever possible. Using, for example, the Broadcomsingle-twisted pair Ethernet technology, wiring harnesses are simplifiedand data transmission speeds are maximized. However, while the Broadcomsingle-twisted pair Ethernet technology can be used, in general, systemsand methods can work comparably well with any type of well-knownEthernet technology or other comparable communications technology.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 the I/O network/bus 408 is a split-bus conceptthat contains three independent bus structures:

-   -   The red zone 417—the untrusted Ethernet environment. This zone        417 may be used to connect network devices and customer provided        devices to the vehicle information system with these devices        being on the untrusted side of the firewall 484.    -   The green zone 413—the trusted Ethernet environment, this zone        413 can be used to connect manufacturer certified devices such        as GPS units, remote displays, subsystem switches, and the like,        to the vehicle network 404. Manufacturer certified devices can        be implemented by vendors that allow the vehicle software system        to validate whether or not a device is certified to operate with        the vehicle 100. Optionally, only certified devices are allowed        to connect to the trusted side of the network.    -   The I/O bus 409—the I/O bus may be used to provide power and        data transmission to bus-based devices such as the vehicle solid        state drive, the media controller blade 492, the computational        blades 436, 440, and the like.

As an example, the split-bus structure can have the following minimumconfiguration:

-   -   Two slots for the red zone Ethernet;    -   One slot for built-in LTE/WiMax access 420 from the car to other        network resources such as the cloud/Internet;    -   One slot for user devices or bring-your-own device access, this        slot can implement, for example, WiFi, Bluetooth®, and/or USB        connectivity 456, which can be provided in, for example, the        customer crate;    -   One slot for combined red zone and green zone Ethernet, this        slot can be reserved for the firewall controller;    -   Two slots for computational blades. Here the two computation        blades are illustratively as shown the optional master blade and        the multimedia blade or controller 492 which can be provided as        standard equipment; and    -   The expansion controller that allows the I/O bus to be extended        and provides additional Ethernet switch ports for one or more of        the red or green zones, which may require that the basic green        zone Ethernet switch implementation will support additional        ports beyond the initial three that are needed for the basic        exemplary system.    -   It should be possible to build 8 or 16 or more Ethernet switches        that allow for the expansion with existing component(s) in a        straight-forward manner.

The red zone 417 can be implemented as an 8-port Ethernet switch thathas three actual bus ports within the crate with the remaining fiveports being available on the customer crate. The crate implements redzone slots for the firewall controller 484, the combo controller whichincludes WiFi, Bluetooth®, USB hub (456, 460) and the IP router 420.

The firewall controller 484 can have a dedicated slot that bridges thered zone 417, green zone 413, and uses the I/O bus for powerconnections. In accordance with an optional low cost implementation, thefirewall 484 can be implemented by a dummy module that simply bridgesthe red zone 417 and the green zone 413 without necessarily providingany firewall functionality. The combo controller 460 that includes theWiFi, Bluetooth®, and USB hub can be provided for consumer deviceconnections. This controller can also implement the IPv6 (un-routable)protocol to insure that all information is packetized for transmissionvia IP over the Ethernet in the I/O network/bus 408.

The combo controller 460 with the USB hub can have ports in the customercrate. The combo controller 460 can implement USB discovery functionsand packetizes the information for transmission via IP over Ethernet.The combo controller 460 can also facilitate installation of the correctUSB driver for the discovered device, such as a BYOD from the user. Thecombo controller 460 and USB hub can then map the USB address to a“local” IPv6 address for interaction with one or more of thecomputational blades which is generally going to be the media controller492.

The IP router 420 can implement Internet access through a manufacturerprovided service. This service can allow, for example, a manufacturer tooffer value-added services to be integrated into the vehicle informationsystems. The existence of the manufacturer provided Internet access canalso allow the “e-Call” function and other vehicle data recorderfunctions to be implemented. IP router 420 also allows, for example,WiMax, 4G LTE, and other connections to the Internet through a serviceprovider that can be, for example, contracted by the manufacturer.Internally, the IP router 420 can allow cellular handset connections tothe Internet through a Femtocell 464 that is part of the IP routerimplementation. The IP router 420, with the Femtocell 464, can alsoallow a cone of silence functionality to be implemented. The IP router420 can be an optional component for a vehicle provided by, for example,the manufacturer, a dealer, or installed by a user. In the absence ofthe IP router 420, it is possible to connect a consumer handheld deviceto the I/O network/bus 408 using, for example, either WiFi or Bluetooth®456, 460. While functionality may be somewhat reduced when using ahandheld device instead of a built-in Ethernet connection, systems andmethods of this invention can also work utilizing this consumer handhelddevice which then connects to the Internet via, for example, WiMax, 4G,4G LTE, or the like.

FIGS. 5A-5C show configurations of a vehicle 104. In general, a vehicle104 may provide functionality based at least partially on one or moreareas, zones, and distances, associated with the vehicle 104.Non-limiting examples of this functionality are provided herein below.

An arrangement or configuration for sensors within a vehicle 104 is asshown in FIG. 5A. The sensor arrangement 500 can include one or moreareas 508 within the vehicle. An area can be a larger part of theenvironment inside or outside of the vehicle 104. Thus, area one 508Amay include the area within the trunk space or engine space of thevehicle 104 and/or the front passenger compartment. Area two 508B mayinclude a portion of the interior space 108 (e.g., a passengercompartment, etc.) of the vehicle 104. The area N, 508N, may include thetrunk space or rear compartment area, when included within the vehicle104. The interior space 108 may also be divided into other areas. Thus,one area may be associated with the front passenger's and driver'sseats, a second area may be associated with the middle passengers'seats, and a third area may be associated with a rear passenger's seat.Each area 508 may include one or more sensors that are positioned oroperate to provide environmental information about that area 508.

Each area 508 may be further separated into one or more zones 512 withinthe area 508. For example, area 1 508A may be separated into zone A512A, and zone B 512B. Each zone 512 may be associated with a particularportion of the interior occupied by a passenger. For example, zone A512A may be associated with a driver. Zone B 512B, may be associatedwith a front passenger. Each zone 512 may include one or more sensorsthat are positioned or configured to collect information about theenvironment or ecosystem associated with that zone or person.

A passenger area 508B may include more than two zones as described inconjunction with area 508A. For example, area 508B may include threezones, 512C, 512D, and 512E. These three separate zones 512C, 512D, and512E may be associated with three passenger seats typically found in therear passenger area of a vehicle 104. An area 508N and may include asingle zone 512N as there may be no separate passenger areas but mayinclude a single trunk area within the vehicle 104. The number of zones512 is unlimited within the areas as the areas are also unlimited insidethe vehicle 104. Further, it should be noted that there may be one orareas 508 or zones 512 that may be located outside the vehicle 104 thatmay have a specific set of sensors associated therewith.

Optionally, each area/access point 508, 456, 516, 520, and/or zone 512,associated with a vehicle 104, may comprise one or more sensors todetermine a presence of a user 216 and/or device 212, 248 in and/oradjacent to each area 508, 456, 516, 520, and/or zone 512. The sensorsmay include vehicle sensors 242 and/or non-vehicle sensors 236 asdescribed herein. It is anticipated that the sensors may be configuredto communicate with a vehicle control system 204 and/or the diagnosticcommunications module 256. Additionally or alternatively, the sensorsmay communicate with a device 212, 248. The communication of sensorswith the vehicle 104 may initiate and/or terminate the control of device212, 248 features. For example, a vehicle operator may be located in asecond outside area 520 associated with a vehicle 104. As the operatorapproaches the first outside area 516, associated with the vehicle 104,the vehicle control system 204 may determine to control featuresassociated with one or more device 212, 248 and diagnosticcommunications module 256.

Optionally, the location of the device 212, 248 relative to the vehicle104 may determine vehicle functionality and/or features to be providedand/or restricted to a user 216. By way of example, a device 212, 248associated with a user 216 may be located at a second outside area 520from the vehicle 104. In this case, and based at least partially on thedistance of the device 212, 248 from the vehicle 104 (e.g., provided bydetecting the device 212, 248 at or beyond the second outside area 520)the vehicle 104 may lock one or more features (e.g., ignition access,vehicle access, communications ability, etc.) associated with thevehicle 104. Optionally, the vehicle 104 may provide an alert based onthe distance of the device 212, 248 from the vehicle 104. Continuing theexample above, once the device 212, 248 reaches the first outside area516 of the vehicle 104 at least one of the vehicle features may beunlocked. For instance, by reaching the first outside area 516, thevehicle 104 may unlock a door of the vehicle 104. In some cases, whenthe device is detected to be inside the vehicle 104, the various sensors236, 242 may determine that the user 216 is in an area 508 and/or zone512. As is further described herein, features of the vehicle 104, device212, 248, and/or other components may be controlled based on rulesstored in a memory.

FIG. 5B illustrates optional internal vehicle communications between oneor more of the vehicle and one or more devices or between devices.Various communications can occur utilizing one or more Bluetooth®, NFC,WiFi, mobile hot spot, point-to-point communications,point-to-multipoint other point communications, an ad hoc network, or ingeneral any known communications protocol over any known communicationsmedia or media-types.

Optionally, various types of internal vehicle communications can befacilitated using an access point 456 that utilizes one or more ofBluetooth®, NFC, WiFi, wireless Ethernet, mobile hot spot technology, orthe like. Upon being connected with, and optionally authenticated to theaccess point 456, the connected device is able to communicate with oneor more of the vehicle and one or more other devices that are connectedto the access point 456. The type of connection to the access point 456can be based on, for example, the zone 512, in which the device islocated.

The user may identify their zone 512 in conjunction with anauthentication procedure to the access point 456. For example, a driverin zone A 512A, upon authenticating to the access point 456, can causethe access point 456 to send a query to the device asking the deviceuser in which zone 512 they are located. As discussed hereinafter, thezone 512 the user device is located in may have an impact on the type ofcommunications, available bandwidth, the types of other devices orvehicle systems or subsystems the device could communicate with, and thelike. As a brief introduction, internal communications with zone A 512Amay be given preferential treatment over those communicationsoriginating from area 2 508B, which could have in itself, preferentialtreatment over communications originating within area N 508N.

Moreover, the device in zone A 512A can include profile information thatgoverns the other devices that are allowed to connect to the accesspoint 456 and what those devices have access to, how they cancommunicate, how much bandwidth they are allocated, and the like. While,optionally, the device associated with zone A 512A will be consideredthe “master” controller of the profile that governs the internal vehiclecommunications, it should be appreciated that this was arbitrarilychosen since it is assumed that there will always be a driver in a carthat is present in zone A 512A. However, it should be appreciated thedriver in zone A 512A, for example, may not have a communications devicein which case a device associated with one of the other areas or zones,such as zone B 512B, area 2 508B, or area N 508N could also beassociated with or control this master profile.

Optionally, various devices located within the various zones 512 canconnect using, for example, ports provided by access point 456 orBluetooth® access point/USB hub 460 as illustrated in FIG. 4. Similarly,the device(s) could connect utilizing the Femtocell 464 and optionallybe directly connected via, for example, a standard Ethernet port.

As discussed, each one of the areas, area 1 508A, area 2 508B, and areaN 508N, can each have associated therewith a profile that governs, forexample, how many and what types of devices can connect from that area508, bandwidth allocated to that area 508, the types of media or contentavailable to device(s) within that area 508, the interconnection ofdevices within that area 508 or between areas 508, or, in general, cancontrol any aspect of communication of an associated device with any oneor more other associated devices/vehicle systems within the vehicle 104.

Optionally, area 2 508B devices can be provided with full access tomultimedia and infotainment available within the vehicle 104, however,devices in area 2 508B may be restricted from any access to vehiclefunctions. Only devices in area 1 508A may be able to access vehiclecontrol functions such as when “parents” are located in area 1 508A andthe children are located in area 2 508B. Optionally, devices found inzone E 512E of area 2 508B may be able to access limited vehicle controlfunctionality such as climate control within area 2. Similarly, devicesin area N 508N may be able to control climate features within zone N512N.

As will be appreciated, profiles can be established that allowmanagement of communications within each of the areas 508, and furtheroptionally within each of the zones 512. The profile can be granular innature controlling not only what type of devices can connect within eachzone 512, but how those devices can communicate with other devicesand/or the vehicle and types of information that can be communicated.

To assist with identifying a location of a device within a zone 512, anumber of different techniques can be utilized. One optional techniqueinvolves one or more of the vehicle sensors detecting the presence of anindividual within one of the zones 512. Upon detection of an individualin a zone 512, communications subsystems 344 and the access point 456can cooperate to not only associate the device within the zone 512 withthe access point 456 but to also determine the location of the devicewithin an area, and optionally within a zone 512. Once the device isestablished within a zone 512, a profile associated with the vehicle 104can store information identifying that device and/or a person andoptionally associating it with a particular zone 512 as a default. Asdiscussed, there can be a master profile optionally associated with thedevice in zone A 512A, this master profile can govern communicationswith the communications subsystems 340 and where communications withinvehicle 104 are to occur.

Some optional profiles are illustrated below where the Master Profilegoverns other device connectivity:

Master Profile:

Area 1 508A Area 2 508B Area N 508N Other All Communications AllowAccess to No Access Master Infotainment Profile acts as Firewall andRouter All Vehicle Controls Allow Area 2 Climate ControlSecondary Profile (e.g., device in Zone B 512B, Area 1 508A)

Area 1 508A Area 2 508B Area N 508N Other All Communications AllowAccess to Allow Access to Master Infotainment Infotainment Profile actsas Firewall and Router All Vehicle Controls Allow Area 2 Allow Area 2Climate Control Climate Control

Secondary Profile, Option 2

Area 1 508A Area 2 508B Area N 508N Other All Communications AllowAccess to Allow Access to Infotainment, Infotainment Internet AllVehicle Controls Allow Area 2 Allow Area 2 Except Driver- ClimateControl Climate Control centric Controls

Some optional profiles are illustrated below where the Area/Zone governsdevice connectivity:

Area 2 508B Profile:

Area 1 508A Area 2 508B Area N 508N Other No Communications Allow Accessto with Area 1 Devices Infotainment, Allow Access to Other Area 2 orZone N Devices, Internet No Vehicle Controls Allow Area 2 ClimateControl

Area N 508N Profile:

Area 1 508A Area 2 508B Area N 508N Other Communications Allow Access towith Area 1, Zone B Infotainment, Allow Device Access to Other Area N orZone N Devices No Vehicle Controls Allow Area N Climate Control

Area 2 508B Profile:

Area 1 508A Area 2 508B Area N 508N Other Media Sharing with AllowAccess to Area 1, Zone B and Infotainment, Allow Vehicle Access to OtherArea 2 or Zone N Devices, Internet and Femtocell No Vehicle Controls

Optionally, a user's device, such as a SmartPhone, can store in, forexample a profile, with which zone 512 the user's device is associated.Then, assuming the user sits in the same zone 512 and area 508 aspreviously, the user's device can re-establish the same communicationsprotocols with the access point 456 as were previously established.

In addition or in the alternative, the areas 508 and zones 512 can haveassociated therewith restrictions as to which one or more other user'sdevices with which users' devices can connect. For example, a firstuser's device can connect with any other user device in area 2 508B orarea N 508N, however is restricted from connecting with a user device inarea 1 508A, zone A 512A. However, the first user device may be able tocommunicate with another user's device that is located in area 1 508A,zone B 512B. These communications can include any type of standardcommunications such as sharing content, exchanging messages, forwardingor sharing multimedia or infotainment, or in general can include anycommunications that would ordinarily be available between two devicesand/or the vehicle and vehicle systems. As discussed, there may berestrictions on the type of communications that can be sent to thedevice in area 1 508A, zone A 512A. For example, the user's device inarea 1 508A, zone A 512A may be restricted from receiving one or more oftext messages, multimedia, infotainment, or in general anything that canbe envisioned as a potential distraction to the driver. Moreover, itshould be appreciated that the communications between the variousdevices and the various zones 512 need not necessarily occur with theassistance of access point 456, but the communications could also occurdirectly between the device(s).

FIG. 5C outlines optional internal vehicle communications between one ormore of the vehicle and one or more devices. More specifically, FIG. 5Cillustrates an example of vehicle communications where the vehicle 104is equipped with the necessary transceivers to provide a mobile hot spotfunctionality to any user device(s) therein, such as user devices 248Aand 248N.

Optionally, and as discussed above, one or more user devices can connectto the access point 456. This access point 456 is equipped to handlecommunications routing to not only the communication network/buses 224for intra-vehicle communications, but optionally can also communicatewith, for example, the Internet or the cloud, in cooperation withtransceiver 260. Optionally included is a firewall 484 that has thecapability of not only blocking certain types of content, such as amalicious content, but can also operate to exclude certain type ofcommunications from emanating from the vehicle 104 and transceiver 260.As will be appreciated, various profiles could be established in thefirewall 484 that controls not only the type of communications that canbe received at the vehicle 104, but the type of communications that canbe sent from the vehicle 104.

The transceiver 260 can be any type of well-known wireless transceiverthat communicates using a known communications protocol such as WiMax,4G, 4G LTE, 3G, or the like. The user devices can communicate via, forexample, WiFi link 248 with the access point 456, with the transceiver260 providing Internet connectivity to the various user devices. As willbe appreciated, there may need to be an account associated withtransceiver 260 with a wireless carrier to provide data and/or voiceconnectivity to enable the user devices to communicate with theInternet. Typically, the account is established on a month-to-monthbasis with an associated fee but could also be performed based on theamount of data to be transmitted, received, or in any other manner.

Moreover, one or more of the user's devices and access point 456 canmaintain profile information that governs how the user's devices areable to communicate with other devices, and optionally the Internet.Optionally, a profile can exist that only allows the user's devices tocommunicate with other user's devices and/or the vehicle, multimediaand/or the vehicle infotainment system, and may not be allowed access tothe Internet via transceiver 260. The profile can stipulate that theuser's device could connect to the Internet via transceiver 260 for aspecified period of time and/or up to a certain amount of data usage.The user's device can have full access to the Internet via transceiver260 with no limit on time or data usage which would reduce the datausage of the user's device since it is connected via WiFi to the accesspoint 456, but however, would increase the data usage by transceiver260, and therefore, shift the billing for that data usage to thetransceiver 260 instead of the user's device. Still further, and aspreviously discussed, the various profiles may stipulate which user'sdevice has priority for use of the bandwidth provided by the transceiver260. For example, a user's device located area 1 508A, zone A 512A maybe given preferential routing treatment of data above that of a user'sdevice in zone N 512N. In this manner, for example, a driver would begiven priority for Internet access above that of the passengers. Thiscould become important, for example, when the driver is trying to obtaintraffic or direction information or, for example, when the vehicle isperforming a download to update various software features.

As will be appreciated, the optional firewall 484 can cooperate with theaccess point 456 and the various profiles that area 508 associated withthe various devices within the vehicle 104 and can fully implementcommunications restrictions, control bandwidth limits, Internetaccessibility, malicious software blocking, and the like. Moreover, theoptional firewall 484 can be accessed by an administrator with one ormore of these configuration settings edited through an administrator'scontrol panel. For example, in a scenario where parents are always inarea 1 508A, it may be appropriate to give all of the user's devices inarea 1 508A full access to the Internet utilizing transceiver 260,however, while restricting access and/or bandwidth to any other userdevices within the vehicle 104. As the user's device and profile wouldbe known by the firewall 484, upon the user's device being associatedwith the access point 456, the firewall 484 and transceiver 260 can beconfigured to allow communications in accordance with the storedprofile.

A set of sensors or vehicle components 600 associated with the vehicle104 may be as shown in FIG. 6A. The vehicle 104 can include, among manyother components common to vehicles, wheels 607, a power source 609(such as an engine, motor, or energy storage system (e.g., battery orcapacitive energy storage system)), a manual or automatic transmission612, a manual or automatic transmission gear controller 616, a powercontroller 620 (such as a throttle), a vehicle control system 204, thedisplay device 212, a braking system 636, a steering wheel 640, a powersource activation/deactivation switch 644 (e.g., an ignition), anoccupant seating system 648, a wireless signal receiver 653 to receivewireless signals from signal sources such as roadside beacons and otherelectronic roadside devices, and a satellite positioning system receiver657 (e.g., a Global Positioning System (“GPS”) (US), GLONASS (Russia),Galileo positioning system (EU), Compass navigation system (China), andRegional Navigational Satellite System (India) receiver), driverlesssystems (e.g., cruise control systems, automatic steering systems,automatic braking systems, etc.).

The vehicle 104 can include a number of sensors in wireless or wiredcommunication with the vehicle control system 204 and/or display device212, 248 to collect sensed information regarding the vehicle state,configuration, and/or operation. Exemplary sensors may include one ormore of, but are not limited to, wheel state sensor 660 to sense one ormore of vehicle speed, acceleration, deceleration, wheel rotation, wheelspeed (e.g., wheel revolutions-per-minute), wheel slip, and the like, apower source energy output sensor 664 to sense a power output of thepower source 609 by measuring one or more of current engine speed (e.g.,revolutions-per-minute), energy input and/or output (e.g., voltage,current, fuel consumption, and torque) (e.g., turbine speed sensor,input speed sensor, crankshaft position sensor, manifold absolutepressure sensor, mass flow sensor, and the like), and the like, a switchstate sensor 668 to determine a current activation or deactivation stateof the power source activation/deactivation switch 644, a transmissionsetting sensor 670 to determine a current setting of the transmission(e.g., gear selection or setting), a gear controller sensor 672 todetermine a current setting of the gear controller 616, a powercontroller sensor 674 to determine a current setting of the powercontroller 620, a brake sensor 676 to determine a current state (brakingor non-braking) of the braking system 636, a seating system sensor 678to determine a seat setting and current weight of seated occupant, ifany) in a selected seat of the seating system 648, exterior and interiorsound receivers 690 and 692 (e.g., a microphone, sonar, and other typeof acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor) to receive and convertsound waves into an equivalent analog or digital signal. Examples ofother sensors (not shown) that may be employed include safety systemstate sensors to determine a current state of a vehicular safety system(e.g., air bag setting (deployed or undeployed) and/or seat belt setting(engaged or not engaged)), light setting sensor (e.g., currentheadlight, emergency light, brake light, parking light, fog light,interior or passenger compartment light, and/or tail light state (on oroff)), brake control (e.g., pedal) setting sensor, accelerator pedalsetting or angle sensor, clutch pedal setting sensor, emergency brakepedal setting sensor, door setting (e.g., open, closed, locked orunlocked) sensor, engine temperature sensor, passenger compartment orcabin temperature sensor, window setting (open or closed) sensor, one ormore interior-facing or exterior-facing cameras or other imaging sensors(which commonly convert an optical image into an electronic signal butmay include other devices for detection objects such as anelectromagnetic radiation emitter/receiver that emits electromagneticradiation and receives electromagnetic waves reflected by the object) tosense objects, such as other vehicles and pedestrians and optionallydetermine the distance, trajectory and speed of such objects, in thevicinity or path of the vehicle, odometer reading sensor, trip mileagereading sensor, wind speed sensor, radar transmitter/receiver output,brake wear sensor, steering/torque sensor, oxygen sensor, ambientlighting sensor, vision system sensor, ranging sensor, parking sensor,heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) sensor, water sensor,air-fuel ratio meter, blind spot monitor, hall effect sensor,microphone, radio frequency (RF) sensor, infrared (IR) sensor, vehiclecontrol system sensors, wireless network sensor (e.g., Wi-Fi and/orBluetooth® sensor), cellular data sensor, and other sensors eitherfuture-developed or known to those of skill in the vehicle art.

In the depicted vehicle embodiment, the various sensors can be incommunication with the display device 212, 248 and vehicle controlsystem 204 via signal carrier network 224. As noted, the signal carriernetwork 224 can be a network of signal conductors, a wireless network(e.g., a radio frequency, microwave, or infrared communication systemusing a communications protocol, such as Wi-Fi), or a combinationthereof. The vehicle control system 204 may also provide signalprocessing of one or more sensors, sensor fusion of similar and/ordissimilar sensors, signal smoothing in the case of erroneous “wildpoint” signals, and/or sensor fault detection. For example, rangingmeasurements provided by one or more RF sensors may be combined withranging measurements from one or more IR sensors to determine one fusedestimate of vehicle range to an obstacle target.

The control system 204 may receive and read sensor signals, such aswheel and engine speed signals, as a digital input comprising, forexample, a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal. The processor 304 can beconfigured, for example, to read each of the signals into a portconfigured as a counter or configured to generate an interrupt onreceipt of a pulse, such that the processor 304 can determine, forexample, the engine speed in revolutions per minute (RPM) and the speedof the vehicle in miles per hour (MPH) and/or kilometers per hour (KPH).One skilled in the art will recognize that the two signals can bereceived from existing sensors in a vehicle comprising a tachometer anda speedometer, respectively. Alternatively, the current engine speed andvehicle speed can be received in a communication packet as numericvalues from a conventional dashboard subsystem comprising a tachometerand a speedometer. The transmission speed sensor signal can be similarlyreceived as a digital input comprising a signal coupled to a counter orinterrupt signal of the processor 304 or received as a value in acommunication packet on a network or port interface from an existingsubsystem of the vehicle 104. The ignition sensor signal can beconfigured as a digital input, wherein a HIGH value represents that theignition is on and a LOW value represents that the ignition is OFF.Three bits of the port interface can be configured as a digital input toreceive the gear shift position signal, representing eight possible gearshift positions. Alternatively, the gear shift position signal can bereceived in a communication packet as a numeric value on the portinterface. The throttle position signal can be received as an analoginput value, typically in the range 0-5 volts. Alternatively, thethrottle position signal can be received in a communication packet as anumeric value on the port interface. The output of other sensors can beprocessed in a similar fashion.

Other sensors may be included and positioned in the interior space 108of the vehicle 104. Generally, these interior sensors obtain data aboutthe health of the driver and/or passenger(s), data about the safety ofthe driver and/or passenger(s), and/or data about the comfort of thedriver and/or passenger(s). The health data sensors can include sensorsin the steering wheel that can measure various health telemetry for theperson (e.g., heart rate, temperature, blood pressure, blood presence,blood composition, etc.). Sensors in the seats may also provide forhealth telemetry (e.g., presence of liquid, weight, weight shifts,etc.). Infrared sensors could detect a person's temperature; opticalsensors can determine a person's position and whether the person hasbecome unconscious. Other health sensors are possible and includedherein.

Safety sensors can measure whether the person is acting safely. Opticalsensors can determine a person's position and focus. If the person stopslooking at the road ahead, the optical sensor can detect the lack offocus. Sensors in the seats may detect if a person is leaning forward ormay be injured by a seat belt in a collision. Other sensors can detectthat the driver has at least one hand on a steering wheel. Other safetysensors are possible and contemplated as if included herein.

Comfort sensors can collect information about a person's comfort.Temperature sensors may detect a temperature of the interior cabin.Moisture sensors can determine a relative humidity. Audio sensors candetect loud sounds or other distractions. Audio sensors may also receiveinput from a person through voice data. Other comfort sensors arepossible and contemplated as if included herein.

FIG. 6B shows an interior sensor configuration for one or more zones 512of a vehicle 104 optionally. Optionally, the areas 508 and/or zones 512of a vehicle 104 may include sensors that are configured to collectinformation associated with the interior 108 of a vehicle 104. Inparticular, the various sensors may collect environmental information,user information, and safety information, to name a few. Embodiments ofthese sensors may be as described in conjunction with FIGS. 7A-8B.

Optionally, the sensors may include one or more of optical, or image,sensors 622A-B (e.g., cameras, etc.), motion sensors 624A-B (e.g.,utilizing RF, IR, and/or other sound/image sensing, etc.), steeringwheel user sensors 642 (e.g., heart rate, temperature, blood pressure,sweat, health, etc.), seat sensors 677 (e.g., weight, load cell,moisture, electrical, force transducer, etc.), safety restraint sensors679 (e.g., seatbelt, airbag, load cell, force transducer, etc.),interior sound receivers 692A-B, environmental sensors 694 (e.g.,temperature, humidity, air, oxygen, etc.), and the like.

The image sensors 622A-B may be used alone or in combination to identifyobjects, users 216, and/or other features, inside the vehicle 104.Optionally, a first image sensor 622A may be located in a differentposition within a vehicle 104 from a second image sensor 622B. When usedin combination, the image sensors 622A-B may combine captured images toform, among other things, stereo and/or three-dimensional (3D) images.The stereo images can be recorded and/or used to determine depthassociated with objects and/or users 216 in a vehicle 104. Optionally,the image sensors 622A-B used in combination may determine the complexgeometry associated with identifying characteristics of a user 216. Forinstance, the image sensors 622A-B may be used to determine dimensionsbetween various features of a user's face (e.g., the depth/distance froma user's nose to a user's cheeks, a linear distance between the centerof a user's eyes, and more). These dimensions may be used to verify,record, and even modify characteristics that serve to identify a user216. As can be appreciated, utilizing stereo images can allow for a user216 to provide complex gestures in a 3D space of the vehicle 104. Thesegestures may be interpreted via one or more of the subsystems asdisclosed herein. Optionally, the image sensors 622A-B may be used todetermine movement associated with objects and/or users 216 within thevehicle 104. It should be appreciated that the number of image sensorsused in a vehicle 104 may be increased to provide greater dimensionalaccuracy and/or views of a detected image in the vehicle 104.

The vehicle 104 may include one or more motion sensors 624A-B. Thesemotion sensors 624A-B may detect motion and/or movement of objectsinside the vehicle 104. Optionally, the motion sensors 624A-B may beused alone or in combination to detect movement. For example, a user 216may be operating a vehicle 104 (e.g., while driving, etc.) when apassenger in the rear of the vehicle 104 unbuckles a safety belt andproceeds to move about the vehicle 104. In this example, the movement ofthe passenger could be detected by the motion sensors 624A-B.Optionally, the user 216 could be alerted of this movement by one ormore of the devices 212, 248 in the vehicle 104. In another example, apassenger may attempt to reach for one of the vehicle control features(e.g., the steering wheel 640, the console, icons displayed on the headunit and/or device 212, 248, etc.). In this case, the movement (i.e.,reaching) of the passenger may be detected by the motion sensors 624A-B.Optionally, the path, trajectory, anticipated path, and/or some otherdirection of movement/motion may be determined using the motion sensors624A-B. In response to detecting the movement and/or the directionassociated with the movement, the passenger may be prevented frominterfacing with and/or accessing at least some of the vehicle controlfeatures (e.g., the features represented by icons may be hidden from auser interface, the features may be locked from use by the passenger,combinations thereof, etc.). As can be appreciated, the user 216 may bealerted of the movement/motion such that the user 216 can act to preventthe passenger from interfering with the vehicle 104 controls.Optionally, the number of motion sensors in a vehicle 104, or areas of avehicle 104, may be increased to increase an accuracy associated withmotion detected in the vehicle 104.

The interior sound receivers 692A-B may include, but are not limited to,microphones and other types of acoustic-to-electric transducers orsensors. Optionally, the interior sound receivers 692A-B may beconfigured to receive and convert sound waves into an equivalent analogor digital signal. The interior sound receivers 692A-B may serve todetermine one or more locations associated with various sounds in thevehicle 104. The location of the sounds may be determined based on acomparison of volume levels, intensity, and the like, between soundsdetected by two or more interior sound receivers 692A-B. For instance, afirst interior sound receiver 692A may be located in a first area of thevehicle 104 and a second interior sound receiver 692B may be located ina second area of the vehicle 104. If a sound is detected at a firstvolume level by the first interior sound receiver 692A and a second,higher, volume level by the second interior sound receiver 692B in thesecond area of the vehicle 104, the sound may be determined to be closerto the second area of the vehicle 104. As can be appreciated, the numberof sound receivers used in a vehicle 104 may be increased (e.g., morethan two, etc.) to increase measurement accuracy surrounding sounddetection and location, or source, of the sound (e.g., viatriangulation, etc.).

Seat sensors 677 may be included in the vehicle 104. The seat sensors677 may be associated with each seat and/or zone 512 in the vehicle 104.Optionally, the seat sensors 677 may provide health telemetry and/oridentification via one or more of load cells, force transducers, weightsensors, moisture detection sensor, electrical conductivity/resistancesensor, and the like. For example, the seat sensors 677 may determinethat a user 216 weighs 180 lbs. This value may be compared to user datastored in memory to determine whether a match exists between thedetected weight and a user 216 associated with the vehicle 104. Inanother example, if the seat sensors 677 detect that a user 216 isfidgeting, or moving, in a seemingly uncontrollable manner, the systemmay determine that the user 216 has suffered a nervous and/or muscularsystem issue (e.g., seizure, etc.). The vehicle control system 204 maythen cause the vehicle 104 to slow down and in addition or alternativelythe automobile controller 8104 (described below) can safely take controlof the vehicle 104 and bring the vehicle 104 to a stop in a safelocation (e.g., out of traffic, off a freeway, etc).

Health telemetry and other data may be collected via the steering wheeluser sensors 642. Optionally, the steering wheel user sensors 642 maycollect heart rate, temperature, blood pressure, and the like,associated with a user 216 via at least one contact disposed on or aboutthe steering wheel 640.

The safety restraint sensors 679 may be employed to determine a stateassociated with one or more safety restraint devices in a vehicle 104.The state associated with one or more safety restraint devices may serveto indicate a force observed at the safety restraint device, a state ofactivity (e.g., retracted, extended, various ranges of extension and/orretraction, deployment, buckled, unbuckled, etc.), damage to the safetyrestraint device, and more.

Environmental sensors 694, including one or more of temperature,humidity, air, oxygen, carbon monoxide, smoke, and other environmentalcondition sensors may be used in a vehicle 104. These environmentalsensors 694 may be used to collect data relating to the safety, comfort,and/or condition of the interior space 108 of the vehicle 104. Amongother things, the data collected by the environmental sensors 694 may beused by the vehicle control system 204 to alter functions of a vehicle.The environment may correspond to an interior space 108 of a vehicle 104and/or specific areas 508 and/or zones 512 of the vehicle 104. It shouldbe appreciate that an environment may correspond to a user 216. Forexample, a low oxygen environment may be detected by the environmentalsensors 694 and associated with a user 216 who is operating the vehicle104 in a particular zone 512. In response to detecting the low oxygenenvironment, at least one of the subsystems of the vehicle 104, asprovided herein, may alter the environment, especially in the particularzone 512, to increase the amount of oxygen in the zone 512. Additionallyor alternatively, the environmental sensors 694 may be used to reportconditions associated with a vehicle (e.g., fire detected, low oxygen,low humidity, high carbon monoxide, etc.). The conditions may bereported to a user 216 and/or a third party via at least onecommunications module as provided herein.

Among other things, the sensors as disclosed herein may communicate witheach other, with devices 212, 248, and/or with the vehicle controlsystem 204 via the signal carrier network 224. Additionally oralternatively, the sensors disclosed herein may serve to provide datarelevant to more than one category of sensor information including, butnot limited to, combinations of environmental information, userinformation, and safety information to name a few.

FIGS. 7A-7B show block diagrams of various sensors that may beassociated with a vehicle 104. Although depicted as interior andexterior sensors, it should be appreciated that any of the one or moreof the sensors shown may be used in both the interior space 108 and theexterior space of the vehicle 104. Moreover, sensors having the samesymbol or name may include the same, or substantially the same,functionality as those sensors described elsewhere in the presentdisclosure. Further, although the various sensors are depicted inconjunction with specific groups (e.g., environmental 708, 708E, userinterface 712, safety 716, 716E, etc.) the sensors should not be limitedto the groups in which they appear. In other words, the sensors may beassociated with other groups or combinations of groups and/ordisassociated from one or more of the groups shown. The sensors asdisclosed herein may communicate with each other, the devices 212, 248,and/or the vehicle control system 204 via one or more communicationschannel(s) 356.

FIG. 7A is a block diagram of an embodiment of interior sensors 340 fora vehicle 104 is provided. The interior sensors 340 may be arranged intoone or more groups, based at least partially on the function of theinterior sensors 340. The interior space 108 of a vehicle 104 mayinclude an environmental group 708, a user interface group 712, and asafety group 716. Additionally or alternatively, there may be sensorsassociated with various devices inside the vehicle (e.g., devices 212,248, smart phones, tablets, mobile computers, etc.)

The environmental group 708 may comprise sensors configured to collectdata relating to the internal environment of a vehicle 104. It isanticipated that the environment of the vehicle 104 may be subdividedinto areas 508 and zones 512 in an interior space 108 of a vehicle 104.In this case, each area 508 and/or zone 512 may include one or more ofthe environmental sensors. Examples of environmental sensors associatedwith the environmental group 708 may include, but are not limited to,oxygen/air sensors 724, temperature sensors 728, humidity sensors 732,light/photo sensors 736, and more. The oxygen/air sensors 724 may beconfigured to detect a quality of the air in the interior space 108 ofthe vehicle 104 (e.g., ratios and/or types of gasses comprising the airinside the vehicle 104, dangerous gas levels, safe gas levels, etc.).Temperature sensors 728 may be configured to detect temperature readingsof one or more objects, users 216, and/or areas 508 of a vehicle 104.Humidity sensors 732 may detect an amount of water vapor present in theair inside the vehicle 104. The light/photo sensors 736 can detect anamount of light present in the vehicle 104. Further, the light/photosensors 736 may be configured to detect various levels of lightintensity associated with light in the vehicle 104.

The user interface group 712 may comprise sensors configured to collectdata relating to one or more users 216 in a vehicle 104. As can beappreciated, the user interface group 712 may include sensors that areconfigured to collect data from users 216 in one or more areas 508 andzones 512 of the vehicle 104. For example, each area 508 and/or zone 512of the vehicle 104 may include one or more of the sensors in the userinterface group 712. Examples of user interface sensors associated withthe user interface group 712 may include, but are not limited to,infrared sensors 740, motion sensors 744, weight sensors 748, wirelessnetwork sensors 752, biometric sensors 756, camera (or image) sensors760, audio sensors 764, and more.

Infrared sensors 740 may be used to measure IR light irradiating from atleast one surface, user 216, or other object in the vehicle 104. Amongother things, the Infrared sensors 740 may be used to measuretemperatures, form images (especially in low light conditions), identifyusers 216, and even detect motion in the vehicle 104.

The motion sensors 744 may be similar to the motion detectors 624A-B, asdescribed in conjunction with FIG. 6B. Weight sensors 748 may beemployed to collect data relating to objects and/or users 216 in variousareas 508 of the vehicle 104. In some cases, the weight sensors 748 maybe included in the seats and/or floor of a vehicle 104.

Optionally, the vehicle 104 may include a wireless network sensor 752.This sensor 752 may be configured to detect one or more wirelessnetwork(s) inside the vehicle 104. Examples of wireless networks mayinclude, but are not limited to, wireless communications utilizingBluetooth®, Wi-Fi™, ZigBee, IEEE 802.11, and other wireless technologystandards. For example, a mobile hotspot may be detected inside thevehicle 104 via the wireless network sensor 752. In this case, thevehicle 104 may determine to utilize and/or share the mobile hotspotdetected via/with one or more other devices 212, 248 and/or componentsassociated with the vehicle 104.

Biometric sensors 756 may be employed to identify and/or recordcharacteristics associated with a user 216. It is anticipated thatbiometric sensors 756 can include at least one of image sensors, IRsensors, fingerprint readers, weight sensors, load cells, forcetransducers, heart rate monitors, blood pressure monitors, and the likeas provided herein.

The camera sensors 760 may be similar to image sensors 622A-B, asdescribed in conjunction with FIG. 6B. Optionally, the camera sensorsmay record still images, video, and/or combinations thereof. The audiosensors 764 may be similar to the interior sound receivers 692A-B, asdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 6A-6B. The audio sensors may beconfigured to receive audio input from a user 216 of the vehicle 104.The audio input from a user 216 may correspond to voice commands,conversations detected in the vehicle 104, phone calls made in thevehicle 104, and/or other audible expressions made in the vehicle 104.

The safety group 716 may comprise sensors configured to collect datarelating to the safety of a user 216 and/or one or more components of avehicle 104. The vehicle 104 may be subdivided into areas 508 and/orzones 512 in an interior space 108 of a vehicle 104 where each area 508and/or zone 512 may include one or more of the safety sensors providedherein. Examples of safety sensors associated with the safety group 716may include, but are not limited to, force sensors 768, mechanicalmotion sensors 772, orientation sensors 776, restraint sensors 780, andmore.

The force sensors 768 may include one or more sensors inside the vehicle104 configured to detect a force observed in the vehicle 104. Oneexample of a force sensor 768 may include a force transducer thatconverts measured forces (e.g., force, weight, pressure, etc.) intooutput signals.

Mechanical motion sensors 772 may correspond to encoders,accelerometers, damped masses, and the like. Optionally, the mechanicalmotion sensors 772 may be adapted to measure the force of gravity (i.e.,G-force) as observed inside the vehicle 104. Measuring the G-forceobserved inside a vehicle 104 can provide valuable information relatedto a vehicle's acceleration, deceleration, collisions, and/or forcesthat may have been suffered by one or more users 216 in the vehicle 104.As can be appreciated, the mechanical motion sensors 772 can be locatedin an interior space 108 or an exterior of the vehicle 104.

Orientation sensors 776 can include accelerometers, gyroscopes, magneticsensors, and the like that are configured to detect an orientationassociated with the vehicle 104. Similar to the mechanical motionsensors 772, the orientation sensors 776 can be located in an interiorspace 108 or an exterior of the vehicle 104.

The restraint sensors 780 may be similar to the safety restraint sensors679 as described in conjunction with FIGS. 6A-6B. These sensors 780 maycorrespond to sensors associated with one or more restraint devicesand/or systems in a vehicle 104. Seatbelts and airbags are examples ofrestraint devices and/or systems. As can be appreciated, the restraintdevices and/or systems may be associated with one or more sensors thatare configured to detect a state of the device/system. The state mayinclude extension, engagement, retraction, disengagement, deployment,and/or other electrical or mechanical conditions associated with thedevice/system.

The associated device sensors 720 can include any sensors that areassociated with a device 212, 248 in the vehicle 104. As previouslystated, typical devices 212, 248 may include smart phones, tablets,laptops, mobile computers, and the like. It is anticipated that thevarious sensors associated with these devices 212, 248 can be employedby the vehicle control system 204. For example, a typical smart phonecan include, an image sensor, an IR sensor, audio sensor, gyroscope,accelerometer, wireless network sensor, fingerprint reader, and more. Itis an aspect of the present disclosure that one or more of theseassociated device sensors 720 may be used by one or more subsystems ofthe vehicle system 200.

In FIG. 7B, a block diagram of an embodiment of exterior sensors 340 fora vehicle 104 is shown. The exterior sensors may include sensors thatare identical, or substantially similar, to those previously disclosedin conjunction with the interior sensors of FIG. 7A. Optionally, theexterior sensors 340 may be configured to collect data relating to oneor more conditions, objects, users 216, and other events that areexternal to the interior space 108 of the vehicle 104. For instance, theoxygen/air sensors 724 may measure a quality and/or composition of theair outside of a vehicle 104. As another example, the motion sensors 744may detect motion outside of a vehicle 104.

The external environmental group 708E may comprise sensors configured tocollect data relating to the external environment of a vehicle 104. Inaddition to including one or more of the sensors previously described,the external environmental group 708E may include additional sensors,such as, vehicle sensors 750, biological sensors, and wireless signalsensors 758. Vehicle sensors 750 can detect vehicles that are in anenvironment surrounding the vehicle 104. For example, the vehiclesensors 750 may detect vehicles in a first outside area 516, a secondoutside area 520, and/or combinations of the first and second outsideareas 516, 520. Optionally, the vehicle sensors 750 may include one ormore of RF sensors, IR sensors, image sensors, and the like to detectvehicles, people, hazards, etc. that are in an environment exterior tothe vehicle 104. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle sensors 750can provide distance/directional information relating to a distance(e.g., distance from the vehicle 104 to the detected object) and/or adirection (e.g., direction of travel, etc.) associated with the detectedobject.

The biological sensors 754 may determine whether one or more biologicalentities (e.g., an animal, a person, a user 216, etc.) is in an externalenvironment of the vehicle 104. Additionally or alternatively, thebiological sensors 754 may provide distance information relating to adistance of the biological entity from the vehicle 104. Biologicalsensors 754 may include at least one of RF sensors, IR sensors, imagesensors and the like that are configured to detect biological entities.For example, an IR sensor may be used to determine that an object, orbiological entity, has a specific temperature, temperature pattern, orheat signature. Continuing this example, a comparison of the determinedheat signature may be compared to known heat signatures associated withrecognized biological entities (e.g., based on shape, locations oftemperature, and combinations thereof, etc.) to determine whether theheat signature is associated with a biological entity or an inanimate,or non-biological, object.

The wireless signal sensors 758 may include one or more sensorsconfigured to receive wireless signals from signal sources such asWi-Fi™ hotspots, cell towers, roadside beacons, other electronicroadside devices, and satellite positioning systems. Optionally, thewireless signal sensors 758 may detect wireless signals from one or moreof a mobile phone, mobile computer, keyless entry device, RFID device,near field communications (NFC) device, and the like.

The external safety group 716E may comprise sensors configured tocollect data relating to the safety of a user 216 and/or one or morecomponents of a vehicle 104. Examples of safety sensors associated withthe external safety group 716E may include, but are not limited to,force sensors 768, mechanical motion sensors 772, orientation sensors776, vehicle body sensors 782, and more. Optionally, the exterior safetysensors 716E may be configured to collect data relating to one or moreconditions, objects, vehicle components, and other events that areexternal to the vehicle 104. For instance, the force sensors 768 in theexternal safety group 716E may detect and/or record force informationassociated with the outside of a vehicle 104. For instance, if an objectstrikes the exterior of the vehicle 104, the force sensors 768 from theexterior safety group 716E may determine a magnitude, location, and/ortime associated with the strike.

The vehicle 104 may include a number of vehicle body sensors 782. Thevehicle body sensors 782 may be configured to measure characteristicsassociated with the body (e.g., body panels, components, chassis,windows, etc.) of a vehicle 104. For example, two vehicle body sensors782, including a first body sensor and a second body sensor, may belocated at some distance apart. Continuing this example, the first bodysensor may be configured to send an electrical signal across the body ofthe vehicle 104 to the second body sensor, or vice versa. Upon receivingthe electrical signal from the first body sensor, the second body sensormay record a detected current, voltage, resistance, and/or combinationsthereof associated with the received electrical signal. Values (e.g.,current, voltage, resistance, etc.) for the sent and received electricalsignal may be stored in a memory. These values can be compared todetermine whether subsequent electrical signals sent and receivedbetween vehicle body sensors 782 deviate from the stored values. Whenthe subsequent signal values deviate from the stored values, thedifference may serve to indicate damage and/or loss of a body component.Additionally or alternatively, the deviation may indicate a problem withthe vehicle body sensors 782. The vehicle body sensors 782 maycommunicate with each other, a vehicle control system 204, and/orsystems of the vehicle system 200 via a communications channel 356.Although described using electrical signals, it should be appreciatedthat alternative embodiments of the vehicle body sensors 782 may usesound waves and/or light to perform a similar function.

FIG. 8A is a block diagram of an embodiment of a media controllersubsystem 348 for a vehicle 104. The media controller subsystem 348 mayinclude, but is not limited to, a media controller 804, a mediaprocessor 808, a match engine 812, an audio processor 816, a speechsynthesis module 820, a network transceiver 824, a signal processingmodule 828, memory 832, and a language database 836. Optionally, themedia controller subsystem 348 may be configured as a dedicated bladethat implements the media-related functionality of the system 200.Additionally or alternatively, the media controller subsystem 348 canprovide voice input, voice output, library functions for multimedia, anddisplay control for various areas 508 and/or zones 512 of the vehicle104.

Optionally, the media controller subsystem 348 may include a local IPaddress (e.g., IPv4, IPv6, combinations thereof, etc.) and even aroutable, global unicast address. The routable, global unicast addressmay allow for direct addressing of the media controller subsystem 348for streaming data from Internet resources (e.g., cloud storage, useraccounts, etc.). It is anticipated, that the media controller subsystem348 can provide multimedia via at least one Internet connection, orwireless network communications module, associated with the vehicle 104.Moreover, the media controller subsystem 348 may be configured toservice multiple independent clients simultaneously.

The media processor 808 may comprise a general purpose programmableprocessor or controller for executing application programming orinstructions related to the media subsystem 348. The media processor 808may include multiple processor cores, and/or implement multiple virtualprocessors. Optionally, the media processor 808 may include multiplephysical processors. By way of example, the media processor 808 maycomprise a specially configured application specific integrated circuit(ASIC) or other integrated circuit, a digital signal processor, acontroller, a hardwired electronic or logic circuit, a programmablelogic device or gate array, a special purpose computer, or the like. Themedia processor 808 generally functions to run programming code orinstructions implementing various functions of the media controller 804.

The match engine 812 can receive input from one or more components ofthe vehicle system 800 and perform matching functions. Optionally, thematch engine 812 may receive audio input provided via a microphone 886of the system 800. The audio input may be provided to the mediacontroller subsystem 348 where the audio input can be decoded andmatched, via the match engine 812, to one or more functions available tothe vehicle 104. Similar matching operations may be performed by thematch engine 812 relating to video input received via one or more imagesensors, cameras 878, and the like.

The media controller subsystem 348 may include a speech synthesis module820 configured to provide audio output to one or more speakers 880, oraudio output devices, associated with the vehicle 104. Optionally, thespeech synthesis module 820 may be configured to provide audio outputbased at least partially on the matching functions performed by thematch engine 812.

As can be appreciated, the coding/decoding, the analysis of audioinput/output, and/or other operations associated with the match engine812 and speech synthesis module 820, may be performed by the mediaprocessor 808 and/or a dedicated audio processor 816. The audioprocessor 816 may comprise a general purpose programmable processor orcontroller for executing application programming or instructions relatedto audio processing. Further, the audio processor 816 may be similar tothe media processor 808 described herein.

The network transceiver 824 can include any device configured totransmit and receive analog and/or digital signals. Optionally, themedia controller subsystem 348 may utilize a network transceiver 824 inone or more communication networks associated with the vehicle 104 toreceive and transmit signals via the communications channel 356.Additionally or alternatively, the network transceiver 824 may acceptrequests from one or more devices 212, 248 to access the mediacontroller subsystem 348. One example of the communication network is alocal-area network (LAN). As can be appreciated, the functionalityassociated with the network transceiver 824 may be built into at leastone other component of the vehicle 104 (e.g., a network interface card,communications module, etc.).

The signal processing module 828 may be configured to alteraudio/multimedia signals received from one or more input sources (e.g.,microphones 886, etc.) via the communications channel 356. Among otherthings, the signal processing module 828 may alter the signals receivedelectrically, mathematically, combinations thereof, and the like.

The media controller 804 may also include memory 832 for use inconnection with the execution of application programming or instructionsby the media processor 808, and for the temporary or long term storageof program instructions and/or data. As examples, the memory 832 maycomprise RAM, DRAM, SDRAM, or other solid state memory.

The language database 836 may include the data and/or libraries for oneor more languages, as are used to provide the language functionality asprovided herein. In one case, the language database 836 may be loaded onthe media controller 804 at the point of manufacture. Optionally, thelanguage database 836 can be modified, updated, and/or otherwise changedto alter the data stored therein. For instance, additional languages maybe supported by adding the language data to the language database 836.In some cases, this addition of languages can be performed via accessingadministrative functions on the media controller 804 and loading the newlanguage modules via wired (e.g., USB, etc.) or wireless communication.In some cases, the administrative functions may be available via avehicle console device 248, a user device 212, 248, and/or other mobilecomputing device that is authorized to access administrative functions(e.g., based at least partially on the device's address, identification,etc.).

One or more video controllers 840 may be provided for controlling thevideo operation of the devices 212, 248, 882 associated with thevehicle. Optionally, the video controller 840 may include a displaycontroller for controlling the operation of touch sensitive screens,including input (touch sensing) and output (display) functions. Videodata may include data received in a stream and unpacked by a processorand loaded into a display buffer. In this example, the processor andvideo controller 840 can optimize the display based on thecharacteristics of a screen of a display device 212, 248, 882. Thefunctions of a touch screen controller may be incorporated into othercomponents, such as a media processor 808 or display subsystem.

The audio controller 844 can provide control of the audio entertainmentsystem (e.g., radio, subscription music service, multimediaentertainment, etc.), and other audio associated with the vehicle 104(e.g., navigation systems, vehicle comfort systems, convenience systems,etc.). Optionally, the audio controller 844 may be configured totranslate digital signals to analog signals and vice versa. As can beappreciated, the audio controller 844 may include device drivers thatallow the audio controller 844 to communicate with other components ofthe system 800 (e.g., processors 816, 808, audio I/O 874, and the like).

The system 800 may include a profile identification module 848 todetermine whether a user profile is associated with the vehicle 104.Among other things, the profile identification module 848 may receiverequests from a user 216, or device 212, 228, 248, to access a profilestored in a profile database 856 or profile data 252. Additionally oralternatively, the profile identification module 848 may request profileinformation from a user 216 and/or a device 212, 228, 248, to access aprofile stored in a profile database 856 or profile data 252. In anyevent, the profile identification module 848 may be configured tocreate, modify, retrieve, and/or store user profiles in the profiledatabase 856 and/or profile data 252. The profile identification module848 may include rules for profile identification, profile informationretrieval, creation, modification, and/or control of components in thesystem 800.

By way of example, a user 216 may enter the vehicle 104 with a smartphone or other device 212. In response to determining that a user 216 isinside the vehicle 104, the profile identification module 848 maydetermine that a user profile is associated with the user's smart phone212. As another example, the system 800 may receive information about auser 216 (e.g., from a camera 878, microphone 886, etc.), and, inresponse to receiving the user information, the profile identificationmodule 848 may refer to the profile database 856 to determine whetherthe user information matches a user profile stored in the database 856.It is anticipated that the profile identification module 848 maycommunicate with the other components of the system to load one or morepreferences, settings, and/or conditions based on the user profile.Further, the profile identification module 848 may be configured tocontrol components of the system 800 based on user profile information.

Optionally, data storage 852 may be provided. Like the memory 832, thedata storage 852 may comprise a solid state memory device or devices.Alternatively or in addition, the data storage 852 may comprise a harddisk drive or other random access memory. Similar to the data storage852, the profile database 856 may comprise a solid state memory deviceor devices.

An input/output module 860 and associated ports may be included tosupport communications over wired networks or links, for example withother communication devices, server devices, and/or peripheral devices.Examples of an input/output module 860 include an Ethernet port, aUniversal Serial Bus (USB) port, CAN Bus, Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) 1594, or other interface. Users may bringtheir own devices (e.g., Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), device 212, etc.)into the vehicle 104 for use with the various systems disclosed.Although most BYOD devices can connect to the vehicle systems (e.g., themedia controller subsystem 348, etc.) via wireless communicationsprotocols (e.g., Wi-Fi™, Bluetooth®, etc.) many devices may require adirect connection via USB, or similar. In any event, the input/outputmodule 860 can provide the necessary connection of one or more devicesto the vehicle systems described herein.

A video input/output interface 864 can be included to receive andtransmit video signals between the various components in the system 800.Optionally, the video input/output interface 864 can operate withcompressed and uncompressed video signals. The video input/outputinterface 864 can support high data rates associated with image capturedevices. Additionally or alternatively, the video input/output interface864 may convert analog video signals to digital signals.

The infotainment system 870 may include information media content and/orentertainment content, informational devices, entertainment devices, andthe associated programming therefor. Optionally, the infotainment system870 may be configured to handle the control of one or more components ofthe system 800 including, but in no way limited to, radio, streamingaudio/video devices, audio devices 880, 882, 886, video devices 878,882, travel devices (e.g., GPS, navigational systems, etc.), wirelesscommunication devices, network devices, and the like. Further, theinfotainment system 870 can provide the functionality associated withother infotainment features as provided herein.

An audio input/output interface 874 can be included to provide analogaudio to an interconnected speaker 880 or other device, and to receiveanalog audio input from a connected microphone 886 or other device. Asan example, the audio input/output interface 874 may comprise anassociated amplifier and analog to digital converter. Alternatively orin addition, the devices 212, 248 can include integrated audioinput/output devices 880, 886 and/or an audio jack for interconnectingan external speaker 880 or microphone 886. For example, an integratedspeaker 880 and an integrated microphone 886 can be provided, to supportnear talk, voice commands, spoken information exchange, and/or speakerphone operations.

Among other things, the system 800 may include devices that are part ofthe vehicle 104 and/or part of a device 212, 248 that is associated withthe vehicle 104. For instance, these devices may be configured tocapture images, display images, capture sound, and present sound.Optionally, the system 800 may include at least one of imagesensors/cameras 878, display devices 882, audio inputdevices/microphones 886, and audio output devices/speakers 880. Thecameras 878 can be included for capturing still and/or video images.Alternatively or in addition, image sensors 878 can include a scanner orcode reader. An image sensor/camera 878 can include or be associatedwith additional elements, such as a flash or other light source. In somecases, the display device 882 may include an audio input device and/oran audio output device in addition to providing video functions. Forinstance, the display device 882 may be a console, monitor, a tabletcomputing device, and/or some other mobile computing device.

FIG. 8B is a block diagram of an embodiment of a user/device interactionsubsystem 817 in a vehicle system 800. The user/device interactionsubsystem 817 may comprise hardware and/or software that conduct variousoperations for or with the vehicle 104. For instance, the user/deviceinteraction subsystem 817 may include at least one user interactionsubsystem 332 and device interaction subsystem 352 as previouslydescribed. These operations may include, but are not limited to,providing information to the user 216, receiving input from the user216, and controlling the functions or operation of the vehicle 104, etc.Among other things, the user/device interaction subsystem 817 mayinclude a computing system operable to conduct the operations asdescribed herein.

Optionally, the user/device interaction subsystem 817 can include one ormore of the components and modules provided herein. For instance, theuser/device interaction subsystem 817 can include one or more of a videoinput/output interface 864, an audio input/output interface 874, asensor module 814, a device interaction module 818, a useridentification module 822, a vehicle control module 826, anenvironmental control module 830, and a gesture control module 834. Theuser/device interaction subsystem 817 may be in communication with otherdevices, modules, and components of the system 800 via thecommunications channel 356.

The user/device interaction subsystem 817 may be configured to receiveinput from a user 216 and/or device via one or more components of thesystem. By way of example, a user 216 may provide input to theuser/device interaction subsystem 817 via wearable devices 802, 806,810, video input (e.g., via at least one image sensor/camera 878, etc.)audio input (e.g., via the microphone, audio input source, etc.),gestures (e.g., via at least one image sensor 878, motion sensor 888,etc.), device input (e.g., via a device 212, 248 associated with theuser, etc.), combinations thereof, and the like.

The wearable devices 802, 806, 810 can include heart rate monitors,blood pressure monitors, glucose monitors, pedometers, movement sensors,wearable computers, and the like. Examples of wearable computers may beworn by a user 216 and configured to measure user activity, determineenergy spent based on the measured activity, track user sleep habits,determine user oxygen levels, monitor heart rate, provide alarmfunctions, and more. It is anticipated that the wearable devices 802,806, 810 can communicate with the user/device interaction subsystem 817via wireless communications channels or direct connection (e.g., wherethe device docks, or connects, with a USB port or similar interface ofthe vehicle 104).

A sensor module 814 may be configured to receive and/or interpret inputprovided by one or more sensors in the vehicle 104. In some cases, thesensors may be associated with one or more user devices (e.g., wearabledevices 802, 806, 810, smart phones 212, mobile computing devices 212,248, and the like). Optionally, the sensors may be associated with thevehicle 104, as described in conjunction with FIGS. 6A-7B.

The device interaction module 818 may communicate with the variousdevices as provided herein. Optionally, the device interaction module818 can provide content, information, data, and/or media associated withthe various subsystems of the vehicle system 800 to one or more devices212, 248, 802, 806, 810, 882, etc. Additionally or alternatively, thedevice interaction module 818 may receive content, information, data,and/or media associated with the various devices provided herein.

The user identification module 822 may be configured to identify a user216 associated with the vehicle 104. The identification may be based onuser profile information that is stored in profile data 252. Forinstance, the user identification module 822 may receive characteristicinformation about a user 216 via a device, a camera, and/or some otherinput. The received characteristics may be compared to data stored inthe profile data 252. Where the characteristics match, the user 216 isidentified. As can be appreciated, where the characteristics do notmatch a user profile, the user identification module 822 may communicatewith other subsystems in the vehicle 104 to obtain and/or record profileinformation about the user 216. This information may be stored in amemory and/or the profile data storage 252.

The vehicle control module 826 may be configured to control settings,features, and/or the functionality of a vehicle 104. In some cases, thevehicle control module 826 can communicate with the vehicle controlsystem 204 to control critical functions (e.g., driving system controls,braking, accelerating, etc.) and/or noncritical functions (e.g., drivingsignals, indicator/hazard lights, mirror controls, window actuation,etc.) based at least partially on user/device input received by theuser/device interaction subsystem 817.

The environmental control module 830 may be configured to controlsettings, features, and/or other conditions associated with theenvironment, especially the interior environment, of a vehicle 104.Optionally, the environmental control module 830 may communicate withthe climate control system (e.g. changing cabin temperatures, fanspeeds, air direction, etc.), oxygen and/or air quality control system(e.g., increase/decrease oxygen in the environment, etc.), interiorlighting (e.g., changing intensity of lighting, color of lighting,etc.), an occupant seating system 648 (e.g., adjusting seat position,firmness, height, etc.), steering wheel 640 (e.g., position adjustment,etc.), infotainment/entertainment system (e.g., adjust volume levels,display intensity adjustment, change content, etc.), and/or othersystems associated with the vehicle environment. Additionally oralternatively, these systems can provide input, set-points, and/orresponses, to the environmental control module 830. As can beappreciated, the environmental control module 830 may control theenvironment based at least partially on user/device input received bythe user/device interaction subsystem 817.

The gesture control module 834 is configured to interpret gesturesprovided by a user 216 in the vehicle 104. Optionally, the gesturecontrol module 834 may provide control signals to one or more of thevehicle systems 300 disclosed herein. For example, a user 216 mayprovide gestures to control the environment, critical and/or noncriticalvehicle functions, the infotainment system, communications, networking,and more. Optionally, gestures may be provided by a user 216 anddetected via one or more of the sensors as described in conjunction withFIGS. 6B-7A. As another example, one or more motion sensors 888 mayreceive gesture input from a user 216 and provide the gesture input tothe gesture control module 834. Continuing this example, the gestureinput is interpreted by the gesture control module 834. Thisinterpretation may include comparing the gesture input to gesturesstored in a memory. The gestures stored in memory may include one ormore functions and/or controls mapped to specific gestures. When a matchis determined between the detected gesture input and the stored gestureinformation, the gesture control module 834 can provide a control signalto any of the systems/subsystems as disclosed herein.

FIG. 8C illustrates a GPS/Navigation subsystem(s) 336. The Navigationsubsystem(s) 336 can be any present or future-built navigation systemthat may use location data, for example, from the Global PositioningSystem (GPS), to provide navigation information or control the vehicle104. The Navigation subsystem(s) 336 can include several components ormodules, such as, one or more of, but not limited to, a GPSAntenna/receiver 892, a location module 896, a maps database 8100, anautomobile controller 8104, a vehicle systems transceiver 8108, atraffic controller 8112, a network traffic transceiver 8116, avehicle-to-vehicle transceiver 8120, a traffic information database8124, etc. Generally, the several components or modules 892-8124 may behardware, software, firmware, computer readable media, or combinationsthereof

A GPS Antenna/receiver 892 can be any antenna, GPS puck, and/or receivercapable of receiving signals from a GPS satellite or other navigationsystem, as mentioned hereinbefore. The signals may be demodulated,converted, interpreted, etc. by the GPS Antenna/receiver 892 andprovided to the location module 896. Thus, the GPS Antenna/receiver 892may convert the time signals from the GPS system and provide a location(e.g., coordinates on a map) to the location module 896. Alternatively,the location module 896 can interpret the time signals into coordinatesor other location information.

The location module 896 can be the controller of the satellitenavigation system designed for use in automobiles. The location module896 can acquire position data, as from the GPS Antenna/receiver 892, tolocate the user or vehicle 104 on a road in the unit's map database8100. Using the road database 8100, the location module 896 can givedirections to other locations along roads also in the database 8100.When a GPS signal is not available, the location module 896 may applydead reckoning to estimate distance data from sensors 242 including oneor more of, but not limited to, a speed sensor attached to the drivetrain of the vehicle 104, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, etc. GPS signalloss and/or multipath can occur due to urban canyons, tunnels, and otherobstructions. Additionally or alternatively, the location module 896 mayuse known locations of Wi-Fi hotspots, cell tower data, etc. todetermine the position of the vehicle 104, such as by using timedifference of arrival (TDOA) and/or frequency difference of arrival(FDOA) techniques.

The maps database 8100 can include any hardware and/or software to storeinformation about maps, geographical information system information,location information, etc. The maps database 8100 can include any datadefinition or other structure to store the information. Generally, themaps database 8100 can include a road database that may include one ormore vector maps of areas of interest. Street names, street numbers,house numbers, and other information can be encoded as geographiccoordinates so that the user can find some desired destination by streetaddress. Points of interest (waypoints) can also be stored with theirgeographic coordinates. For example, a point of interest may includespeed cameras, fuel stations, public parking, and “parked here” (or “youparked here”) information. The map database contents can be produced orupdated by a server connected through a wireless system in communicationwith the Internet, even as the vehicle 104 is driven along existingstreets, yielding an up-to-date map.

An automobile controller 8104 can be any hardware and/or software thatcan receive instructions from the location module 896 or the trafficcontroller 8112 and operate the vehicle 104. The automobile controller8104 receives this information and data from the sensors 242 to operatethe vehicle 104 without driver input. Thus, the automobile controller8104 can drive the vehicle 104 along a route provided by the locationmodule 896. The route may be adjusted by information sent from thetraffic controller 8112. Discrete and real-time driving can occur withdata from the sensors 242. To operate the vehicle 104, the automobilecontroller 8104 can communicate with a vehicle systems transceiver 8108.

The vehicle systems transceiver 8108 can be any present orfuture-developed device that can comprise a transmitter and/or areceiver, which may be combined and can share common circuitry or asingle housing. The vehicle systems transceiver 8108 may communicate orinstruct one or more of the vehicle control subsystems 328. For example,the vehicle systems transceiver 8108 may send steering commands, asreceived from the automobile controller 8104, to an electronic steeringsystem, to adjust the steering of the vehicle 100 in real time. Theautomobile controller 8104 can determine the effect of the commandsbased on received sensor data 242 and can adjust the commands as needbe. The vehicle systems transceiver 8108 can also communicate with thebraking system, the engine and drive train to speed or slow the car, thesignals (e.g., turn signals and brake lights), the headlights, thewindshield wipers, etc. Any of these communications may occur over thecomponents or function as described in conjunction with FIG. 4.

A traffic controller 8112 can be any hardware and/or software that cancommunicate with an automated traffic system and adjust the function ofthe vehicle 104 based on instructions from the automated traffic system.An automated traffic system is a system that manages the traffic in agiven area. This automated traffic system can instruct cars to drive incertain lanes, instruct cars to raise or lower their speed, instruct acar to change their route of travel, instruct cars to communicate withother cars, etc. To perform these functions, the traffic controller 8112may register the vehicle 104 with the automated traffic system and thenprovide other information including the route of travel. The automatedtraffic system can return registration information and any requiredinstructions. The communications between the automated traffic systemand the traffic controller 8112 may be received and sent through anetwork traffic transceiver 8116.

The network traffic transceiver 8116 can be any present orfuture-developed device that can comprise a transmitter and/or areceiver, which may be combined and can share common circuitry or asingle housing. The network traffic transceiver 8116 may communicatewith the automated traffic system using any known or future-developed,protocol, standard, frequency, bandwidth range, etc. The network traffictransceiver 8116 enables the sending of information between the trafficcontroller 8112 and the automated traffic system.

The traffic controller 8112 can also communicate with another vehicle,which may be in physical proximity (i.e., within range of a wirelesssignal), using the vehicle-to-vehicle transceiver 8120. As with thenetwork traffic transceiver 8116, the vehicle-to-vehicle transceiver8120 can be any present or future-developed device that can comprise atransmitter and/or a receiver, which may be combined and can sharecommon circuitry or a single housing. Generally, the vehicle-to-vehicletransceiver 8120 enables communication between the vehicle 104 and anyother vehicle. These communications allow the vehicle 104 to receivetraffic or safety information, control or be controlled by anothervehicle, establish an alternative communication path to communicate withthe automated traffic system, establish a node including two or morevehicle that can function as a unit, etc. The vehicle-to-vehicletransceiver 8120 may communicate with the other vehicles using any knownor future-developed, protocol standard, frequency, bandwidth range, etc.

The traffic controller 8112 can control functions of the automobilecontroller 8104 and communicate with the location module 896. Thelocation module 896 can provide current location information and routeinformation that the traffic controller 8112 may then provide to theautomated traffic system. The traffic controller 8112 may receive routeadjustments from the automated traffic system that are then sent to thelocation module 896 to change the route. Further, the traffic controller8112 can also send driving instructions to the automobile controller8104 to change the driving characteristics of the vehicle 104. Forexample, the traffic controller 8112 can instruct the automobilecontroller 8104 to accelerate or decelerate to a different speed, changelanes, or perform another driving maneuver. The traffic controller 8112can also manage vehicle-to-vehicle communications and store informationabout the communications or other information in the traffic informationdatabase 8124.

The traffic information database 8124 can be any type of database, suchas relational, hierarchical, object-oriented, and/or the like. Thetraffic information database 8124 may reside on a storage medium localto (and/or resident in) the vehicle control system 204 or in the vehicle104. The traffic information database 8124 may be adapted to store,update, and retrieve information about communications with othervehicles or any active instructions from the automated traffic system.This information may be used by the traffic controller 8112 to instructor adjust the performance of driving maneuvers.

FIG. 9 illustrates an optional communications architecture where, thehost device 908 may include one more routing profiles, permissionmodules, and rules that control how communications within the vehicle104 are to occur. This communications architecture can be used inconjunction with the routing tables, rules and permissions associatedwith access point 456 and optional firewall 484, or can be in lieuthereof. For example, the host device 908 acts as a mobile hot spot toone or more other devices within vehicle 104, such as, other device 1912, other device 2 916, other device 3 920, and other device N 924.Optionally, one or more of the other devices 912 can communicatedirectly with the host device 908 which then provides Internet access tothose devices 912 via the device 908. The host device 908 can act as amobile hot spot for any one or more of the other devices 912, which maynot need to communicate over the network/communications buses 224/404,but could instead connect directly to the host device 908 via, forexample, NFC, Bluetooth®, WiFi, or the like. When the device 908 isacting as the host device, the device 908 can include one or morerouting profiles, permissions, rules modules, and can also act as afirewall for the various inter and intra vehicle communications.

As will be appreciated, there could be alternative host devices, suchas, host 904 which could also act as, for example, a co-host inassociation with device 908. Optionally, one or more of the routingprofile, permission information, and rules could be shared between theco-host devices 904, 908, both of those devices being usable forInternet access for one or more of the other devices, 912-924. As willbe appreciated, the other devices 912-924 need not necessarily connectto one or more of host device 908 and the other device 904 via a directcommunications link, but could also interface with those devices 904,908 utilizing the network/communications buses 224/404 associated withthe vehicle 100. As previously discussed, one or more of the otherdevices can connect to the network/communications buses 224/404utilizing the various networks and/or buses discussed herein which wouldtherefore enable, for example, regulation of the various communicationsbased on the Ethernet zone that the other device 912 is associated with.

An embodiment of one or more modules that may be associated with thevehicle control system 204 may be as shown in FIG. 10. The modules caninclude a communication subsystem interface 1008 in communication withan operating system 1004. The communications may pass through a firewall1044. The firewall 1044 can be any software that can control theincoming and outgoing communications by analyzing the data packets anddetermining whether the packets should be allowed through the firewall,based on applied rule set. A firewall 1044 can establish a “barrier”between a trusted, secure internal network and another network (e.g.,the Internet) that is not assumed to be secure and trusted.

In some situations, the firewall 1044 may establish security zones thatare implemented by running system services and/or applications inrestricted user groups and accounts. A set of configuration files andcallbacks may then be linked to an IP table firewall. The IP tablefirewall can be configured to notify a custom filter application at anyof the layers of the Ethernet packet. The different users/group rightsto access the system may include: system users, which may have exclusiveright over all device firewall rules and running software; a big-brotheruser, which may have access to on board device (OBD) control data andmay be able to communicate with the vehicle subsystem 328 and may beable to alter the parameters in the vehicle control system 204; a dealeruser, which can have rights to read OBD data for diagnostics andrepairs; a dashboard user, which can have rights to launch dashboardapplications and/or authenticate guest users and change theirpermissions to trusted/friend/family, and can read but cannot write intoOBD diagnostic data; a world wide web (WWW) data user, which can haveHTTP rights to respond to HTTP requests (the HTTP requests also cantarget different user data, but may be filtered by default useraccounts); a guest user, which may have no rights; a family/friend user,which may have rights to play media from the media subsystem 348 and/orto stream media to the media subsystem 348.

The operating system 1004 can be a collection of software that managescomputer hardware resources and provides common services forapplications and other programs. The operating system 1004 may scheduletime-sharing for efficient use of the system. For hardware functions,such as input, output, and memory allocation, the operating system 1004can act as an intermediary between applications or programs and thecomputer hardware. Examples of operating systems that may be deployed asoperating system 1004 include Android, BSD, iOS, Linux, OS X, QNX,Microsoft Windows, Windows Phone, IBM z/OS, etc.

The operating system 1004 can include one or more sub-modules. Forexample, a desktop manager 1012 can manage one or more graphical userinterfaces (GUI) in a desktop environment. Desktop GUIs can help theuser to easily access and edit files. A command-line interface (CLI) maybe used if full control over the operating system (OS) 1004 is required.The desktop manager 1012 is described further hereinafter.

A kernel 1028 can be a computer program that manages input/outputrequests from software and translates them into data processinginstructions for the processor 304 and other components of the vehiclecontrol system 204. The kernel 1028 is the fundamental component of theoperating system 1004 that can execute many of the functions associatedwith the OS 1004.

The kernel 1028 can include other software functions, including, but notlimited to, driver(s) 1056, communication software 1052, and/or InternetProtocol software 1048. A driver 1056 can be any computer program thatoperates or controls a particular type of device that is attached to avehicle control system 204. A driver 1056 can communicate with thedevice through the bus 356 or communications subsystem 1008 to which thehardware connects. When a calling program invokes a routine in thedriver 1056, the driver 1056 may issue one or more commands to thedevice. Once the device sends data back to the driver 1056, the driver1056 may invoke routines in the original calling program. Drivers can behardware-dependent and operating-system-specific. Driver(s) 1056 canprovide the interrupt handling required for any necessary asynchronoustime-dependent hardware interface.

The IP module 1048 can conduct any IP addressing, which may include theassignment of IP addresses and associated parameters to host interfaces.The address space may include networks and sub-networks. The IP module1048 can perform the designation of network or routing prefixes and mayconduct IP routing, which transports packets across network boundaries.Thus, the IP module 1048 may perform all functions required for IPmulticast operations.

The communications module 1052 may conduct all functions forcommunicating over other systems or using other protocols not servicedby the IP module 1048. Thus, the communications module 1052 can managemulticast operations over other busses or networks not serviced by theIP module 1048. Further, the communications module 1052 may perform ormanage communications to one or more devices, systems, data stores,services, etc. that are in communication with the vehicle control system204 or other subsystems through the firewall 1044. Thus, thecommunications module 1052 can conduct communications through thecommunication subsystem interface 1008.

A file system 1016 may be any data handling software that can controlhow data is stored and retrieved. The file system 1016 can separate thestored data into individual pieces, and giving each piece a name, caneasily separate and identify the pieces of data. Each piece of data maybe considered a “file”. The file system 1016 can construct datastructure and logic rules used to manage the information and theidentifiers for the information. The structure and logic rules can beconsidered a “file system.”

A device discovery daemon 1020 may be a computer program that runs as abackground process that can discover new devices that connect with thenetwork 356 or communication subsystem 1008 or devices that disconnectfrom the network 356 or communication subsystem 1008. The devicediscovery daemon 1020 can ping the network 356 (the local subnet) whenthe vehicle 104 starts, when a vehicle door opens or closes, or upon theoccurrence of other events. Additionally or alternatively, the devicediscovery daemon 1020 may force Bluetooth®, USB, and/or wirelessdetection. For each device that responds to the ping, the devicediscovery daemon 1020 can populate the system data 208 with deviceinformation and capabilities, using any of one or more protocols,including one or more of, but not limited to, IPv6 Hop-by-Hop Option(HOPOPT), Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP), Internet GroupManagement Protocol (IGMP), Gateway-to-Gateway Protocol (GGP), InternetProtocol (IP), Internet Stream Protocol (ST), Transmission ControlProtocol (TCP), Exterior Gateway Protocol (EGP), CHAOS, User DatagramProtocol (UDP), etc.

For example, the device discovery daemon 1020 can determine devicecapabilities based on the opened ports the device exposes. If a cameraexposes port 80, then the device discovery daemon 1020 can determinethat the camera is using a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).Alternatively, if a device is supporting Universal Plug and Play (UPnP),the system data 208 can include more information, for example, a cameracontrol universal resource locator (URL), a camera zoom URL, etc. When ascan stops, the device discovery daemon 1020 can trigger a dashboardrefresh to ensure the user interface reflects the new devices on thedesktop.

A desktop manager 1012 may be a computer program that manages the userinterface of the vehicle control system 204. The desktop environment maybe designed to be customizable and allow the definition of the desktopconfiguration look-and-feel for a wide range of appliances or devicesfrom computer desktops, mobile devices, computer tablets, etc.Launcher(s), panels, desktop areas, the desktop background,notifications, panes, etc., can be configured from a dashboardconfiguration file managed by the desktop manager 1012. The graphicalelements in which the desktop manager 1012 controls can includelaunchers, the desktop, notification bars, etc.

The desktop may be an area of the display where the applications arerunning. The desktop can have a custom background. Further, the desktopmay be divided into two or more areas. For example, the desktop may bedivided into an upper half of a display and a lower half of the display.Each application can be configured to run in a portion of the desktop.Extended settings can be added to the desktop configuration file, suchthat, some objects may be displayed over the whole desktop or in customsize out of the context of the divided areas.

The notification bar may be a part of a bar display system, which mayprovide notifications by displaying, for example, icons and/or pop-upwindows that may be associated with sound notifications. Thenotification mechanism can be designed for separate plug-ins, which runin separate processes and may subscribe to a system Intelligent InputBus (IBUS)/D-BUS event service. The icons on the notifications bar canbe accompanied with application short-cuts to associated applications,for example, a Bluetooth® manager, a USB manager, radio volume and ortone control, a security firewall, etc.

The desktop manager 1012 may include a windows manager 1032, anapplication launcher 1036, and/or a panel launcher 1040. Each of thesecomponents can control a different aspect of the user interface. Thedesktop manager 1012 can use a root window to create panels that caninclude functionality for one or more of, but not limited to: launchingapplications, managing applications, providing notifications, etc.

The windows manager 1032 may be software that controls the placement andappearance of windows within a graphical user interface presented to theuser. Generally, the windows manager 1032 can provide the desktopenvironment used by the vehicle control system 204. The windows manager1032 can communicate with the kernel 1028 to interface with thegraphical system that provides the user interface(s) and supports thegraphics hardware, pointing devices, keyboard, touch-sensitive screens,etc. The windows manager 1032 may be a tiling window manager (i.e., awindow manager with an organization of the screen into mutuallynon-overlapping frames, as opposed to a coordinate-based stacking ofoverlapping objects (windows) that attempts to fully emulate the desktopmetaphor). The windows manager 1032 may read and store configurationfiles, in the system data 208, which can control the position of theapplication windows at precise positions.

An application manager 1036 can control the function of any applicationover the lifetime of the process. The process or application can belaunched from a panel launcher 1040 or from a remote console. Theapplication manager 1036 can intercept the process name and may takeappropriate action to manage that process. If the process is notrunning, the application manager 1036 can load the process and may bringthe process to a foreground in a display. The application manager 1036may also notify the windows manager 1032 to bring the associatedwindow(s) to a top of a window stack for the display. When a processstarts from a shell or a notification out of the context of the desktop,the application manager 1036 can scan files to match the process namewith the entry name provided. When a match is found, the applicationmanager 1036 can configure the process according to a settings file.

In some situations, the application manager 1036 may restrict anapplication as singleton (i.e., restricts the instantiation of a classto one object). If an application is already running and the applicationmanager 1036 is asked to run the application again, the applicationmanager 1036 can bring the running process to a foreground on a display.There can be a notification event exchange between the windows manager1032 and the application manager 1036 for activating the appropriatewindow for the foreground process. Once an application is launched, theapplication may not be terminated or killed. The application can be sentto the background, except, possibly, for some applications (e.g., mediaplayer, Bluetooth®, notifications, etc.), which may be given a lowestprocess priority.

The panel launcher 1040 can be a widget configured to be placed along aportion of the display. The panel launcher 1040 may be built fromdesktop files from a desktop folder. The desktop folder location can beconfigured by a configuration file stored in system data 208. The panellauncher 1040 can allow for the launching or executing of applicationsor processes by receiving inputs from a user interface to launchprograms.

A desktop plugin 1024 may be a software component that allows forcustomization of the desktop or software interface through theinitiation of plug-in applications.

One or more gestures used to interface with the vehicle control system204 may be as described in conjunction with FIG. 11A through 11K. FIGS.11A through 11H depict various graphical representations of gestureinputs that may be recognized by the devices 212, 248. The gestures maybe performed not only by a user's body part, such as a digit, but alsoby other devices, such as a stylus, that may be sensed by the contactsensing portion(s) of a screen associated with the device 212, 248. Ingeneral, gestures are interpreted differently, based on where thegestures are performed (either directly on a display or in a gesturecapture region). For example, gestures in a display may be directed to adesktop or application, and gestures in a gesture capture region may beinterpreted as for the system.

With reference to FIGS. 11A-11H, a first type of gesture, a touchgesture 1120, is substantially stationary on a portion (e.g., a screen,a display, etc.) of a device 212, 248 for a selected length of time. Acircle 1128 represents a touch or other contact type received atparticular location of a contact sensing portion of the screen. Thecircle 1128 may include a border 1132, the thickness of which indicatesa length of time that the contact is held substantially stationary atthe contact location. For instance, a tap 1120 (or short press) has athinner border 1132A than the border 1132B for a long press 1124 (or fora normal press). The long press 1124 may involve a contact that remainssubstantially stationary on the screen for longer time period than thatof a tap 1120. As will be appreciated, differently defined gestures maybe registered depending upon the length of time that the touch remainsstationary prior to contact cessation or movement on the screen.

With reference to FIG. 11C, a drag gesture 1100 on the screen is aninitial contact (represented by circle 1128) with contact movement 1136in a selected direction. The initial contact 1128 may remain stationaryon the screen for a certain amount of time represented by the border1132. The drag gesture typically requires the user to contact an icon,window, or other displayed image at a first location followed bymovement of the contact in a drag direction to a new second locationdesired for the selected displayed image. The contact movement need notbe in a straight line but have any path of movement so long as thecontact is substantially continuous from the first to the secondlocations.

With reference to FIG. 11D, a flick gesture 1104 on the screen is aninitial contact (represented by circle 1128) with truncated contactmovement 1136 (relative to a drag gesture) in a selected direction. Aflick may have a higher exit velocity for the last movement in thegesture compared to the drag gesture. The flick gesture can, forinstance, be a finger snap following initial contact. Compared to a draggesture, a flick gesture generally does not require continual contactwith the screen from the first location of a displayed image to apredetermined second location. The contacted displayed image is moved bythe flick gesture in the direction of the flick gesture to thepredetermined second location. Although both gestures commonly can movea displayed image from a first location to a second location, thetemporal duration and distance of travel of the contact on the screen isgenerally less for a flick than for a drag gesture.

With reference to FIG. 11E, a pinch gesture 1108 on the screen isdepicted. The pinch gesture 1108 may be initiated by a first contact1128A to the screen by, for example, a first digit and a second contact1128B to the screen by, for example, a second digit. The first andsecond contacts 1128A,B may be detected by a common contact sensingportion of a common screen, by different contact sensing portions of acommon screen, or by different contact sensing portions of differentscreens. The first contact 1128A is held for a first amount of time, asrepresented by the border 1132A, and the second contact 1128B is heldfor a second amount of time, as represented by the border 1132B. Thefirst and second amounts of time are generally substantially the same,and the first and second contacts 1128A,B generally occur substantiallysimultaneously. The first and second contacts 1128A,B generally alsoinclude corresponding first and second contact movements 1136A,B,respectively. The first and second contact movements 1136A,B aregenerally in opposing directions. Stated another way, the first contactmovement 1136A is towards the second contact 1136B, and the secondcontact movement 1136B is towards the first contact 1136A. More simplystated, the pinch gesture 1108 may be accomplished by a user's digitstouching the screen in a pinching motion.

With reference to FIG. 11F, a spread gesture 1110 on the screen isdepicted. The spread gesture 1110 may be initiated by a first contact1128A to the screen by, for example, a first digit, and a second contact1128B to the screen by, for example, a second digit. The first andsecond contacts 1128A,B may be detected by a common contact sensingportion of a common screen, by different contact sensing portions of acommon screen, or by different contact sensing portions of differentscreens. The first contact 1128A is held for a first amount of time, asrepresented by the border 1132A, and the second contact 1128B is heldfor a second amount of time, as represented by the border 1132B. Thefirst and second amounts of time are generally substantially the same,and the first and second contacts 1128A,B generally occur substantiallysimultaneously. The first and second contacts 1128A,B generally alsoinclude corresponding first and second contact movements 1136A,B,respectively. The first and second contact movements 1136A,B aregenerally in an opposing direction. Stated another way, the first andsecond contact movements 1136A,B are away from the first and secondcontacts 1128A,B. More simply stated, the spread gesture 1110 may beaccomplished by a user's digits touching the screen in a spreadingmotion.

The above gestures may be combined in any manner, such as those shown byFIGS. 11G and 11H, to produce a determined functional result. Forexample, in FIG. 11G a tap gesture 1120 is combined with a drag or flickgesture 1112 in a direction away from the tap gesture 1120. In FIG. 11H,a tap gesture 1120 is combined with a drag or flick gesture 1116 in adirection towards the tap gesture 1120.

The functional result of receiving a gesture can vary depending on anumber of factors, including a state of the vehicle 104, display, orscreen of a device, a context associated with the gesture, or sensedlocation of the gesture, etc. The state of the vehicle 104 commonlyrefers to one or more of a configuration of the vehicle 104, a displayorientation, and user and other inputs received by the vehicle 104.Context commonly refers to one or more of the particular application(s)selected by the gesture and the portion(s) of the application currentlyexecuting, whether the application is a single- or multi-screenapplication, and whether the application is a multi-screen applicationdisplaying one or more windows. A sensed location of the gesturecommonly refers to whether the sensed set(s) of gesture locationcoordinates are on a touch sensitive display or a gesture capture regionof a device 212, 248, whether the sensed set(s) of gesture locationcoordinates are associated with a common or different display, orscreen, or device 212, 248, and/or what portion of the gesture captureregion contains the sensed set(s) of gesture location coordinates.

A tap, when received by a touch sensitive display of a device 212, 248,can be used, for instance, to select an icon to initiate or terminateexecution of a corresponding application, to maximize or minimize awindow, to reorder windows in a stack, and/or to provide user input suchas by keyboard display or other displayed image. A drag, when receivedby a touch sensitive display of a device 212, 248, can be used, forinstance, to relocate an icon or window to a desired location within adisplay, to reorder a stack on a display, or to span both displays (suchthat the selected window occupies a portion of each displaysimultaneously). A flick, when received by a touch sensitive display ofa device 212, 248 or a gesture capture region, can be used to relocate awindow from a first display to a second display or to span both displays(such that the selected window occupies a portion of each displaysimultaneously). Unlike the drag gesture, however, the flick gesture isgenerally not used to move the displayed image to a specificuser-selected location but to a default location that is notconfigurable by the user.

The pinch gesture, when received by a touch sensitive display or agesture capture region of a device 212, 248, can be used to minimize orotherwise increase the displayed area or size of a window (typicallywhen received entirely by a common display), to switch windows displayedat the top of the stack on each display to the top of the stack of theother display (typically when received by different displays orscreens), or to display an application manager (a “pop-up window” thatdisplays the windows in the stack). The spread gesture, when received bya touch sensitive display or a gesture capture region of a device 212,248, can be used to maximize or otherwise decrease the displayed area orsize of a window, to switch windows displayed at the top of the stack oneach display to the top of the stack of the other display (typicallywhen received by different displays or screens), or to display anapplication manager (typically when received by an off-screen gesturecapture region on the same or different screens).

The combined gestures of FIG. 11G, when received by a common displaycapture region in a common display or screen of a device 212, 248, canbe used to hold a first window location constant for a display receivingthe gesture while reordering a second window location to include awindow in the display receiving the gesture. The combined gestures ofFIG. 11H, when received by different display capture regions in a commondisplay or screen of a device 212, 248 or in different displays orscreens of one more devices 212, 248, can be used to hold a first windowlocation for a display receiving the tap part of the gesture whilereordering a second window location to include a window in the displayreceiving the flick or drag gesture. Although specific gestures andgesture capture regions in the preceding examples have been associatedwith corresponding sets of functional results, it is to be appreciatedthat these associations can be redefined in any manner to producediffering associations between gestures and/or gesture capture regionsand/or functional results.

Gestures that may be completed in three-dimensional space and not on atouch sensitive screen or gesture capture region of a device 212, 248may be as shown in FIGS. 11I-11K. The gestures may be completed in anarea where a sensor, such as an optical sensor, infrared sensor, orother type of sensor, may detect the gesture. For example, the gesture1140 in FIG. 11I may be executed by a person when the person opens theirhand 1164 and moves their hand in a back and forth direction 1148 as agesture 1140 to complete some function with the vehicle 104. For examplegesture 1140 may change the station of the radio in the vehicle 104. Thesensors 242 may both determine the configuration of the hand 1164 andthe vector of the movement. The vector and hand configuration can beinterpreted to mean certain things to the vehicle control system 204 andproduce different results.

In another example of a gesture 1152 in FIG. 11J, a user may configuretheir hand 1164 to extend two fingers and move the hand 1164 in an upand down operation 1156. This gesture 1152 may control the volume of theradio or some other function. For instance, this gesture 1152 may beconfigured to place the vehicle in a “valet” mode to, among otherthings, restrict access to certain features associated with the vehicle.Again, the sensors 242 may determine how the person has configured theirhand 1164, and the vector of the movement. In another example of agesture 1160 shown in FIG. 11K, a user may extend their middle threefingers at an angle that is substantially 45° for vertical from straightvertical and circle the hand in a counter-clockwise motion 1166. Thisgesture 1160 may cause the automobile to change the heat setting or dosome other function. As can be understood by one skilled in the art, theconfigurations of the hand and the types of movement are variable. Thus,the user may configure the hand 1164 in any way imaginable and may alsomove that hand 1164 in any direction with any vector inthree-dimensional space.

The gestures 1140, 1152, 1160, as shown in FIGS. 11I-11K, may occur in apredetermined volume of space within the vehicle 104. For example, asensor may be configured to identify such gestures 1140, 1152, 1160between the front passenger's and front driver's seats over a consolearea within the passenger compartment of the vehicle 104. The gestures1140, 1152, 1160 may be made within area 1 508A between zones A 512A andB 512B. However, there may be other areas 508 where a user may usecertain gestures, where sensors 242 may be able to determine a certainfunction is desired. Gestures that may be similar but used in differentareas within the vehicle 104 may cause different functions to beperformed. For example, the gesture 1140 in FIG. 11I, if used in zone E512E, may change the heat provided in zone E 512E, but may change thestation of a radio if used in zone A 512A and/or zone B 512B. Further,the gestures may be made with other body parts or, for example,different expressions of a person's face and may be used to controlfunctions in the vehicle 104. Also, the user may use two hands in somecircumstances or do other types of physical movements that can causedifferent reactions in the vehicle 104.

FIGS. 12A-12D show various embodiments of a data structure 1200 to storedifferent settings. The data structure 1200 may include one or more ofdata files or data objects 1204, 1250, 1270, 1280. Thus, the datastructure 1200 may represent different types of databases or datastorage, for example, object-oriented data bases, flat file datastructures, relational database, or other types of data storagearrangements. Embodiments of the data structure 1200 disclosed hereinmay be separate, combined, and/or distributed. As indicated in FIGS.12A-12D, there may be more or fewer portions in the data structure 1200,as represented by ellipses 1244. Further, there may be more or fewerfiles in the data structure 1200, as represented by ellipses 1248.

Referring to FIG. 12A, a first data structure is shown. The data file1204 may include several portions 1208-1242 representing different typesof data. Each of these types of data may be associated with a user, asshown in portion 1208.

There may be one or more user records 1240 and associated data storedwithin the data file 1204. As provided herein, the user can be anyperson that uses or rides within the vehicle or conveyance 104. The usermay be identified in portion 1212. For the vehicle 104, the user mayinclude a set of one or more features that may identify the user. Thesefeatures may be the physical characteristics of the person that may beidentified by facial recognition or some other type of system. In othersituations, the user may provide a unique code to the vehicle controlsystem 204 or provide some other type of data that allows the vehiclecontrol system 204 to identify the user. The features or characteristicsof the user are then stored in portion 1212.

Each user, identified in portion 1208, may have a different set ofsettings for each area 508 and/or each zone 512 within the vehicle 104.Thus, each set of settings may also be associated with a predeterminedzone 512 or area 508. The zone 512 is stored in portion 1220, and thearea 508 is stored in portion 1216.

One or more settings may be stored in portion 1224. These settings 1224may be the configurations of different functions within the vehicle 104that are specified by or for that user. For example, the settings 1224may be the position of a seat, the position of a steering wheel, theposition of accelerator and/or brake pedals, positions of mirrors, aheating/cooling setting, a radio setting, a cruise control setting, orsome other type of setting associated with the vehicle 104. Further, invehicles adapted to have a configurable console or a configurable dashor heads-up display, the settings 1224 may also provide for how thatheads-up display, dash, or console are configured for this particularuser.

Each setting 1224 may be associated with a different area 508 or zone512. Thus, there may be more settings 1224 for when the user is thedriver and in zone A 512A, 512A, of area 1, 508A. However, there may besimilar settings 1224 among the different zones 512 or areas 508 asshown in portion 1224. For example, the heating or radio settings forthe user may be similar in every zone 512.

The sensors 242 within the vehicle 104 may be able to either obtain ortrack health data in portion 1228. Health data 1228 may include any typeof physical characteristic associated with the user. For example, aheart rate, a blood pressure, a temperature, or other types of heathdata may be obtained and stored in portion 1228. The user may have thishealth data tracked over a period of time to allow for statisticalanalysis of the user's health while operating the vehicle 104. In thisway, if some function of the user's health deviates from a norm (e.g., abaseline measurement, average measurements taken over time, and thelike), the vehicle 104 may be able to determine there is a problem withthe person and react to that data.

One or more gestures may be stored in portion 1232. Thus, the gesturesused and described in conjunction FIG. 11A through 11K may beconfigurable. These gestures may be determined or created by the userand stored in portion 1132. A user may have different gestures for eachzone 512 or area 508 within the vehicle. The gestures that do certainthings while driving may do other things while in a different area 508of the vehicle 104. Thus, the user may use a first set of gestures whiledriving and a second set while a passenger. Further, one or more usersmay share gestures as shown in portion 1232. Each driver may have acommon set of gestures that they use in zone A 512A, 512A. Each of thesegestures may be determined or captured and then stored with theircharacteristics (e.g., vector, position of gesture, etc.) in portion1232.

One or more sets of safety parameters may be stored in portion 1236.Safety parameters 1236 may be common operating characteristics for thisdriver/passenger or for all drivers/passengers that if deviated from maydetermine there is a problem with the driver/passenger or the vehicle104. For example, a certain route may be taken repeatedly and an averagespeed or mean speed may be determined. If the mean speed deviates bysome number of standard deviations, a problem with the vehicle 104 orthe user may be determined. In another example, the healthcharacteristics or driving experience of the user may be determined. Ifthe user drives in a certain position where their head occupies acertain portion of three-dimensional space within the vehicle 104, thevehicle control system 204 may determine that the safety parameterincludes the users face or head being within this certain portion of thevehicle interior space. If the user's head deviates from that interiorspace for some amount of time, the vehicle control system 204 candetermine that something is wrong with the driver and change thefunction or operation of the vehicle 104 to assist the driver. This mayhappen, for example, when a user falls asleep at the wheel. If theuser's head droops and no longer occupies a certain three dimensionalspace, the vehicle control system 204 can determine that the driver hasfallen asleep and may take control of the operation of the vehicle 204and the automobile controller 8104 may steer the vehicle 204 to the sideof the road. In other examples, if the user's reaction time is too slowor some other safety parameter is not nominal, the vehicle controlsystem 204 may determine that the user is inebriated or having someother medical problem. The vehicle control system 204 may then assumecontrol of the vehicle to ensure that the driver is safe.

Information corresponding to a user and/or a user profile may be storedin the profile information portion 1238. For example, the profileinformation 1238 may include data relating to at least one of currentdata, historical data, a user preference, user habit, user routine,observation, location data (e.g., programmed and/or requesteddestinations, locations of parking, routes traveled, average drivingtime, etc.), social media connections, contacts, brand recognition(e.g., determined via one or more sensors associated with the vehicle104, a device 212, 248, etc.), audible recording data, text data, emaildata, political affiliation, preferred retail locations/sites (e.g.,physical locations, web-based locations, etc.), recent purchases,behavior associated with the aforementioned data, and the like. The datain the profile information portion 1238 may be stored in one or more ofthe data structures 1200 provided herein. As can be appreciated, theseone or more data structures may be stored in one or more memorylocations. Examples of various memory locations are described inconjunction with FIG. 2.

One or more additional data fields may be stored in the linked dataportion 1242 as data and/or locations of data. The linked data 1242 mayinclude at least one of pointers, addresses, location identification,data source information, and other information corresponding toadditional data associated with the data structure 1200. Optionally, thelinked data portion 1242 may refer to data stored outside of aparticular data structure 1200. For example, the linked data portion1242 may include a link/locator to the external data. Continuing thisexample, the link/locator may be resolved (e.g., via one or more of themethods and/or systems provided herein, etc.) to access the data storedoutside of the data structure 1200. Additionally or alternatively, thelinked data portion 1242 may include information configured to link thedata objects 1204 to other data files or data objects 1250, 1270, 1280.For instance, the data object 1204 relating to a user may be linked toat least one of a device data object 1250, a vehicle system data object1270, and a vehicle data object 1280, to name a few.

An embodiment of a data structure 1200 to store information associatedwith one or more devices is shown in FIG. 12B. The data file 1250 mayinclude several portions 1216-1262 representing different types of data.Each of these types of data may be associated with a device, as shown inportion 1252.

There may be one or more device records 1250 and associated data storedwithin the data file 1250. As provided herein, the device may be anydevice that is associated with the vehicle 104. For example, a devicemay be associated with a vehicle 104 when that device is physicallylocated within the interior space 108 of the vehicle 104. As anotherexample, a device may be associated with a vehicle 104 when the deviceregisters with the vehicle 104. Registration may include pairing thedevice with the vehicle 104 and/or one or more of the vehicle systems(e.g., as provided in FIG. 3). In some cases, the registration of adevice with a vehicle 104 may be performed manually and/orautomatically. An example of automatic registration may includedetecting, via one or more of the vehicle systems, that a device isinside the vehicle 104. Upon detecting that the device is inside thevehicle 104, the vehicle system may identify the device and determinewhether the device is or should be registered. Registration may beperformed outside of a vehicle 104 via providing a unique code to thevehicle 104 and/or at least one of the vehicle systems.

The device may be identified in portion 1256. Among other things, thedevice identification may be based on the hardware associated with thedevice (e.g., Media Access Control (MAC) address, Burned-In Address(BIA), Ethernet Hardware Address (EHA), physical address, hardwareaddress, and the like).

Optionally, a device may be associated with one or more users. Forexample, a tablet and/or graphical user interface (GUI) associated withthe vehicle 104 may be used by multiple members of a family. Forinstance, the GUI may be located in a particular area 508 and/or zone512 of the vehicle 104. Continuing this example, when a family member islocated in the particular area 508 and/or zone 512, the device mayinclude various settings, features, priorities, capabilities, and thelike, based on an identification of the family member. The user may beidentified in portion 1254. For the device, the user identificationportion 1254 may include a set of one or more features that may identifya particular user. These features may be the physical characteristics ofthe person that may be identified by facial recognition, or some othertype of system, associated with the device and/or the vehicle 104.Optionally, the user may provide a unique code to the device, or providesome other type of data, that allows the device to identify the user.The features or characteristics of the user are then stored in portion1254.

Each device identified in the device identification portion 1256 mayhave a different set of settings for each area 508 and/or each zone 512,and/or each user of the device. Thus, each set of settings may also beassociated with a predetermined zone 512, area 508, and/or user. Thezone 512 is stored in portion 1220 and the area 508 is stored in portion1216.

One or more settings may be stored in portion 1224. These settings 1224may be similar and/or identical to those previously described. Further,the settings 1224 may also provide for how a device is configured for aparticular user. Each setting 1224 may be associated with a differentarea 508 or zone 512. Thus, there may be more restrictive settings 1224(e.g., restricted multimedia, texting, limited access to devicefunctions, and the like) for the device when the user is the driver andin zone A 512A, 512A, of area 1, 508A. However, when the user is inanother zone 512 or area 508, for example, where the user is notoperating a vehicle 104, the settings 1224 may provide unrestrictedaccess to one or more features of the device (e.g., allowing texting,multimedia, etc.).

Optionally, the capabilities of a device may be stored in portion 1258.Examples of device capabilities may include, but are not limited to, acommunications ability (e.g., via wireless network, EDGE, 3G, 4G, LTE,wired, Bluetooth®, Near Field Communications (NFC), Infrared (IR),etc.), hardware associated with the device (e.g., cameras, gyroscopes,accelerometers, touch interface, processor, memory, display, etc.),software (e.g., installed, available, revision, release date, etc.),firmware (e.g., type, revision, etc.), operating system, system status,and the like. Optionally, the various capabilities associated with adevice may be controlled by one or more of the vehicle systems providedherein. Among other things, this control allows the vehicle 104 toleverage the power and features of various devices to collect, transmit,and/or receive data.

One or more priorities may be stored in portion 1260. The priority maycorrespond to a value, or combination of values, configured to determinehow a device interacts with the vehicle 104 and/or its various systems.The priority may be based on a location of the device (e.g., as storedin portions 1216, 1220). A default priority can be associated with eacharea 508 and/or zone 512 of a vehicle 104. For example, the defaultpriority associated with a device found in zone 1 512A of area 1 508A(e.g., a vehicle operator position) may be set higher than an (or thehighest of any) alternative zone 512 or area 508 of the vehicle 104.Continuing this example, the vehicle 104 may determine that, althoughother devices are found in the vehicle, the device, having the highestpriority, controls features associated with the vehicle 104. Thesefeatures may include vehicle control features, critical and/ornon-critical systems, communications, and the like. Additionally oralternatively, the priority may be based on a particular user associatedwith the device. Optionally, the priority may be used to determine whichdevice will control a particular signal in the event of a conflict.

Registration data may be stored in portion 1262. As described above,when a particular device registers with a vehicle 104, data related tothe registration may be stored in the registration data portion 1262.Such data may include, but is not limited to, registration information,registration codes, initial registration time, expiration ofregistration, registration timers, and the like. Optionally, one or moresystems of the vehicle 104 may refer to the registration data portion1262 to determine whether a device has been previously registered withthe vehicle 104. As shown in FIG. 12B, User 4 of Device 2 has not beenregistered. In this case, the registration data field 1262, for thisuser, may be empty, contain a null value, or otherinformation/indication that there is no current registration informationassociated with the user.

Additionally or alternatively, the data structure 1200 may include aprofile information portion 1238 and/or a linked data portion 1242.Although the profile information portion 1238 and/or the linked dataportion 1242 may include different information from that describedabove, it should be appreciated that the portions 1238, 1242 may besimilar, or identical, to those as previously disclosed.

An embodiment of a data structure 1200 to store information associatedwith one or more vehicle systems is shown in FIG. 12C. The data file1270 may include several portions 1216-1279 representing different typesof data. Each of these types of data may be associated with a vehiclesystem, as shown in portion 1272.

There may be one or more system records 1270 and associated data storedwithin the data file 1270. As provided herein, the vehicle systems maybe any system and/or subsystem that is associated with the vehicle 104.Examples of various systems are described in conjunction with FIG. 3 andother related figures (e.g., systems 324-352, etc.). One example of asystem associated with the vehicle 104 is the vehicle control system204. Other systems may include communications subsystems 344, vehiclesubsystems 328, and media subsystems 348, to name a few. It should beappreciated that the various systems may be associated with the interiorspace 108 and/or the exterior of the vehicle 104.

Each system may include one or more components. The components may beidentified in portion 1274. Identification of the one or more componentsmay be based on hardware associated with the component. Thisidentification may include hardware addresses similar to those describedin conjunction with the devices of FIG. 12B. Additionally oralternatively, a component can be identified by one or more signals sentvia the component. Such signals may include an Internet Protocol (IP),or similar, address as part of the signal. Optionally, the signal mayidentify the component sending the signal via one or more of a header, afooter, a payload, and/or an identifier associated with the signal(e.g., a packet of a signal, etc.).

Each system and/or component may include priority type information inportion 1276. Among other things, the priority type information storedin portion 1276 may be used by the various methods and systems providedherein to differentiate between critical and non-critical systems.Non-limiting examples of critical systems may correspond to thosesystems used to control the vehicle 104, such as, steering control,engine control, throttle control, braking control, and/or navigationinformational control (e.g., speed measurement, fuel measurement, etc.)Non-critical systems may include other systems that are not directlyrelated to the control of the vehicle 104. By way of example,non-critical systems may include media presentation, wirelesscommunications, comfort settings systems (e.g., climate control, seatposition, seat warmers, etc.), and the like. Although examples ofcritical and/or non-critical systems are provided above, it should beappreciated that the priority type of a system may change (e.g., fromcritical to non-critical, from non-critical to critical, etc.) dependingon the scenario. For instance, although the interior climate controlsystem may be classified as a non-critical system at a first point intime, it may be subsequently classified as a critical system when atemperature inside/outside of the vehicle 104 is measured at a dangerouslevel (e.g., sub-zero Fahrenheit, greater than 90-degrees Fahrenheit,etc.). As such, the priority type may be associated with temperatureconditions, air quality, times of the day, condition of the vehicle 104,and the like.

Each system may be associated with a particular area 508 and/or zone 512of a vehicle 104. Among other things, the location of a system may beused to assess a state of the system and/or provide how the systeminteracts with one or more users of the vehicle 104. As can beappreciated each system may have a different set of settings for eacharea 508 and/or each zone 512, and/or each user of the system. Thus,each set of settings may also be associated with a predetermined zone512, area 508, system, and/or user. The zone 512 is stored in portion1220 and the area 508 is stored in portion 1216.

One or more settings may be stored in portion 1224. These settings 1224may be similar and/or identical to those previously described. Further,the settings 1224 may also provide for how a system is configured for aparticular user. Each setting 1224 may be associated with a differentarea 508 or zone 512. For instance, a climate control system may beassociated with more than one area 508 and/or zone 512. As such, a firstuser seated in zone 1 512A of area 1 508A may store settings related tothe climate control of that zone 512A that are different from otherusers and/or zones 512 of the vehicle 104. Optionally, the settings maynot be dependent on a user. For instance, specific areas 508 and/orzones 512 of a vehicle 104 may include different, default, or the samesettings based on the information stored in portion 1224.

The various systems and/or components may be able to obtain or trackhealth status data of the systems and/or components in portion 1278. Thehealth status 1278 may include any type of information related to astate of the systems. For instance, an operational condition,manufacturing date, update status, revision information, time inoperation, fault status, state of damage detected, inaccurate datareporting, and other types of component/system health status data may beobtained and stored in portion 1278.

Each component and/or system may be configured to communicate withusers, systems, servers, vehicles, third parties, and/or other endpointsvia one or more communication type. At least one communication abilityand/or type associated with a system may be stored in the communicationtype portion 1279. Optionally, the communication types contained in thisportion 1279 may be ordered in a preferential order of communicationtypes. For instance, a system may be configured to preferablycommunicate via a wired communication protocol over one or more wiredcommunication channels (e.g., due to information transfer speeds,reliability, and the like). However, in this instance, if the one ormore wired communication channels fail, the system may transferinformation via an alternative communication protocol and channel (e.g.,a wireless communication protocol and wireless communication channel,etc.). Among other things, the methods and systems provided herein maytake advantage of the information stored in the communication typeportion 1279 to open available communication channels in the event of acommunication channel failure, listen on other ports for informationtransmitted from the systems, provide a reliability rating based on thenumber of redundant communication types for each component, and more.Optionally, a component or system may be restricted from communicatingvia a particular communication type (e.g., based on rules, traffic,critical/non-critical priority type, and the like). In this example, thecomponent or system may be forced by the vehicle control system 204 touse an alternate communication type where available, ceasecommunications, or store communications for later transfer.

Additionally or alternatively, the data structure 1200 may include aprofile information portion 1238 and/or a linked data portion 1242.Although the profile information portion 1238 and/or the linked dataportion 1242 may include different information from that describedabove, it should be appreciated that the portions 1238, 1242 may besimilar, or identical, to those as previously disclosed.

Referring now to FIG. 12D, a data structure 1200 is shown optionally.The data file 1280 may include several portions 1216-1286 representingdifferent types of data. Each of these types of data may be associatedwith a vehicle, as shown in portion 1282.

There may be one or more vehicle records 1280 and associated data storedwithin the data file 1282. As provided herein, the vehicle 104 can beany vehicle or conveyance 104 as provided herein. The vehicle 104 may beidentified in portion 1282. Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle104 may be identified by one or more systems and/or subsystems. Thevarious systems of a vehicle 104 may be identified in portion 1284. Forexample, various features or characteristics of the vehicle 104 and/orits systems may be stored in portion 1284. Optionally, the vehicle 104may be identified via a unique code or some other type of data thatallows the vehicle 104 to be identified.

Each system may be associated with a particular area 508 and/or zone 512of a vehicle 104. Among other things, the location of a system may beused to assess a state of the system and/or provide how the systeminteracts with one or more users of the vehicle 104. As can beappreciated each system may have a different set of settings for eacharea 508 and/or each zone 512, and/or each user of the system. Thus,each set of settings may also be associated with a predetermined zone512, area 508, system, and/or user. The zone 512 is stored in portion1220 and the area 508 is stored in portion 1216.

One or more settings may be stored in portion 1224. These settings 1224may be similar and/or identical to those previously described. Further,the settings 1224 may also provide for how a vehicle and/or its systemsare configured for one or more users. Each setting 1224 may beassociated with a different area 508 or zone 512. Optionally, thesettings may not be dependent on a particular user. For instance,specific areas 508 and/or zones 512 of a vehicle 104 may includedifferent, default, or the same settings based on the information storedin portion 1224.

The various systems and/or components may be able to obtain or trackhealth status data of the systems and/or components in portion 1278. Thehealth status 1278 may include any type of information related to astate of the systems. For instance, an operational condition,manufacturing date, update status, revision information, time inoperation, fault status, state of damage detected, inaccurate datareporting, and other types of component/system health status data may beobtained and stored in portion 1278.

One or more warnings may be stored in portion 1286. The warnings data1286 may include warning generated by the vehicle 104, systems of thevehicle 104, manufacturer of the vehicle, federal agency, third party,and/or a user associated with the vehicle. For example, severalcomponents of the vehicle may provide health status information (e.g.,stored in portion 1278) that, when considered together, may suggest thatthe vehicle 104 has suffered some type of damage and/or failure.Recognition of this damage and/or failure may be stored in the warningsdata portion 1286. The data in portion 1286 may be communicated to oneor more parties (e.g., a manufacturer, maintenance facility, user,etc.). In another example, a manufacturer may issue a recallnotification for a specific vehicle 104, system of a vehicle 104, and/ora component of a vehicle 104. It is anticipated that the recallnotification may be stored in the warning data field 1286. Continuingthis example, the recall notification may then be communicated to theuser of the vehicle 104 notifying the user of the recall issued by themanufacturer.

Additionally or alternatively, the data structure 1200 may include aprofile information portion 1238 and/or a linked data portion 1242.Although the profile information portion 1238 and/or the linked dataportion 1242 may include different information from that describedabove, it should be appreciated that the portions 1238, 1242 may besimilar, or identical, to those as previously disclosed.

An embodiment of a method 1300 for storing settings for a user 216associated with vehicle 104 is shown in FIG. 13. While a general orderfor the steps of the method 1300 is shown in FIG. 13, the method 1300can include more or fewer steps or can arrange the order of the stepsdifferently than those shown in FIG. 13. Generally, the method 1300starts with a start operation 1304 and ends with an end operation 1336.The method 1300 can be executed as a set of computer-executableinstructions executed by a computer system and encoded or stored on acomputer readable medium. Hereinafter, the method 1300 shall beexplained with reference to the systems, components, modules, software,data structures, user interfaces, etc. described in conjunction withFIGS. 1-12.

A person may enter the vehicle space 108. One or more sensors 242 maythen identify that a person is sitting within the vehicle 104, in step1308. For example, sensors 242 in a seat, may determine that some newamount of weight has been registered. The amount of weight may fallwithin predetermined parameters (e.g., over a threshold, in a specificrange, etc.). This weight may then be determined to be a person by oneor more optical or other sensors 242. The vehicle control system 204 maythen determine that a person is in a certain zone 512 or area 508. Forexample, the sensors 242 may send signals to the vehicle controls system204 that an event has occurred. This information may be sent to thevehicle control system processor 304 to determine the zone 512 and area508 where the event occurred. Further, the vehicle control system 204may then identify the person, in step 1312.

The vehicle control system 204 can receive the information from thesensors 242 and use that information to search the database 1200 thatmay be stored within the system data 208. The sensor data may becompared to ID characteristics 1212 to determine if the person hasalready been identified. The vehicle control system 204 may also sendthe characteristic data from the sensors to the communication network224 to a server 228 to compare the sensor data to stored data 232 thatmay be stored in a cloud system. The person's features can be comparedto stored features 1212 to determine if the person in the vehicle 104can be identified.

If the person has been identified previously and their characteristicsstored in portion 1212, the method 1300 proceeds YES to step 1316 wherethat person may be identified. In identifying a person, the informationassociated with that person 1240 may be retrieved and provided to thevehicle control system 204 for further action. If a person cannot beidentified by finding their sensor characteristics in portion 1212, themethod 1300 proceeds NO to step 1320. In step 1320, the vehicle controlsystem 204, using an application, may create a new record in table 1200for the user. This new record may store a user identifier and theircharacteristics 1212. It may also store the area 508 and zone 512 indata portions 1216 and 1220. The new record may then be capable ofreceiving new settings data for this particular user. In this way, thevehicle 104 can automatically identify or characterize a person so thatsettings may be established for the person in the vehicle 104.

The input module 312 may then determine if settings are to be stored, instep 1324. Settings might be any configuration of the vehicle 104 thatmay be associated with the user. The determination may be made afterreceiving a user input from the user. For example, the user may make aselection on a touch sensitive display indicating that settingscurrently made are to be stored. In other situations, a period of timemay elapse after the user has made a configuration. After determiningthat the user is finished making changes to the settings, based on thelength of the period of time since the setting was established, thevehicle control system 204 can save the setting. Thus, the vehiclecontrol system 204 can make settings automatically based on reaching asteady state for settings for user.

The vehicle control system 204 may then store the settings for theperson, in step 1328. The user interaction subsystem 332 can make a newentry for the user 1208 in data structure 1204. The new entry may beeither a new user or a new settings listed in 1224. The settings may bestored based on the area 508 and zone 512. As explained previously, thesettings can be any kind of configuration of the vehicle 104 that may beassociated with the user in that area 508 and the zone 512.

The settings may also be stored in cloud storage, in step 1332. Thus,the vehicle control system 204 can send the new settings to the server228 to be stored in storage 232. In this way, these new settings may beported to other vehicles for the user. Further, the settings in storagesystem 232 may be retrieved, if local storage does not include thesettings in storage system 208.

Additionally or alternatively, the settings may be stored in profiledata 252. As provided herein, the profile data 252 may be associatedwith one or more devices 212, 248, servers 228, vehicle control systems204, and the like. Optionally, the settings in profile data 252 may beretrieved in response to conditions. For instance, the settings may beretrieved from at least one source having the profile data if localstorage does not include the settings in storage system 208. As anotherexample, a user 216 may wish to transfer settings stored in profile data252 to the system data 208. In any event, the retrieval and transfer ofsettings may be performed automatically via one or more devices 204,212, 248, associated with the vehicle 104.

An embodiment of a method 1400 to configure the vehicle 104 based onstored settings is shown in FIG. 14. A general order for the steps ofthe method 1400 is shown in FIG. 14. Generally, the method 1400 startswith a start operation 1404 and ends with an end operation 1428. Themethod 1400 can include more or fewer steps or can arrange the order ofthe steps differently than those shown in FIG. 14. The method 1400 canbe executed as a set of computer-executable instructions executed by acomputer system and encoded or stored on a computer readable medium.Hereinafter, the method 1400 shall be explained with reference to thesystems, components, modules, software, data structures, userinterfaces, etc. described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-13.

The vehicle control system 204 can determine if a person is in a zone512 or area 508, in step 1408. This determination may be made byreceiving data from one or more sensors 242. The vehicle 104 can usefacial recognition, weight sensors, heat sensors, or other sensors todetermine whether a person is occupying a certain zone 512.

Using the information from the sensors 242, the vehicle control system204 can identify the person, in step 1412. The vehicle control system204 can obtain characteristics for the user currently occupying the zone512 and compare those characteristics to the identifying features inportion 1212 of data structure 1204. Thus, the settings in portion 1224may be retrieved by identifying the correct zone 512, area 508, andcharacteristics for the user.

The vehicle control system 204 can first determine if there are settingsassociated with the identified person for that zone 512 and/or area 508,in step 1416. After identifying the user by matching characteristicswith the features in portion 1212, the vehicle control system 204 candetermine if there are settings for the user for the area 1216 and zone1220 the user currently occupies. If there are settings, then thevehicle control system 204 can make the determination that there aresettings in portion 1224, and the vehicle control system 204 may thenread and retrieve those settings, in step 1420. The settings may be thenused to configure or react to the presence of the user, in step 1424.Thus, these settings may be obtained to change the configuration of thevehicle 104, for example, how the position of the seats or mirrors areset, how the dash, console, or heads up display is configured, how theheat or cooling is configured, how the radio is configured, or how otherdifferent configurations are made.

Embodiments of a method 1500 for storing settings in cloud storage areshown in FIG. 15. A general order for the steps of the method 1500 isshown in FIG. 15. Generally, the method 1500 starts with a startoperation 1504 and ends with an end operation 1540. The method 1500 caninclude more or fewer steps or can arrange the order of the stepsdifferently than those shown in FIG. 15. The method 1500 can be executedas a set of computer-executable instructions executed by a computersystem and encoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Hereinafter,the method 1500 shall be explained with reference to the systems,components, modules, software, data structures, user interfaces, etc.described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-14.

The vehicle control system 204 can determine if a person is in a zone512 or area 508, in step 1508. As explained previously, the vehiclecontrol system 204 can receive vehicle sensor data from vehicle sensors242 that show a person has occupied a zone 512 or an area 508 of thevehicle 104. Using the vehicle sensor data, the vehicle control system204 can determine characteristics of the person, in step 1512. Thesecharacteristics are compared to the features in portion 1212 of the datastructure 1204. From this comparison, the vehicle control system 204 candetermine if the person is identified within the data structure 1204, instep 1516. If there is a comparison and the person can be identified,the method 1500 proceeds YES to step 1520. However, if the person cannotbe identified, the method 1500 proceeds NO, to step 1524.

In step 1520, the person is identified in portion 1208 by the successfulcomparison of the characteristics and the features. It should be notedthat there may be a degree of variability between the characteristicsand the features in portion 1212. Thus, the comparison may not be anexact comparison but may use methods known in the art to make astatistically significant comparison between the characteristicsreceived from the sensors 242 and the features stored in portion 1212.In step 1524, the characteristics received from sensors 242 are used tocharacterize the person. In this way, the received characteristics maybe used as an ID, in portion 1212, for a new entry for a new user inportion 1208.

The user may make one or more settings for the vehicle 104. The vehiclecontrol system 204 may determine if the settings are to be stored, instep 1528. If the settings are to be stored, the method 1500 proceedsYES to step 1536. If the settings are not to be stored or if there areno settings to be stored, the method 1500 proceeds NO to step 1532. Instep 1532, the vehicle control system 204 can retrieve the settings inthe portion 1224 of the data structure 1204. Retrieval of the settingsmay be as described in conjunction with FIG. 14. If settings are to bestored, the vehicle control system 204 can send those settings to server228 to be stored in data storage 232, in step 1536. Data storage 232acts as cloud storage that can be used to retrieve information on thesettings from other vehicles or from other sources. Thus, the cloudstorage 232 allows for permanent and more robust storage of userpreferences for the settings of the vehicle 104.

An embodiment of a method 1600 for storing gestures associated with theuser is shown in FIG. 16. A general order for the steps of the method1600 is shown in FIG. 16. Generally, the method 1600 starts with a startoperation 1604 and ends with an end operation 1640. The method 1600 caninclude more or fewer steps or can arrange the order of the stepsdifferently than those shown in FIG. 16. The method 1600 can be executedas a set of computer-executable instructions executed by a computersystem and encoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Hereinafter,the method 1600 shall be explained with reference to the systems,components, modules, software, data structures, user interfaces, etc.described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-15.

Vehicle control system 204 may receive sensor data from sensors 242 todetermine a person is occupying a zone 512 in an area 508 of the vehicle104, in step 1608. The sensor data may provide characteristics for theperson, in step 1612. The vehicle control system 204 may then use thecharacteristics to determine if the person can be identified, in step1616. The vehicle control system 204 may compare the characteristics tothe features in portion 1212 for the people having been recognized andhaving data associated therewith. If a comparison is made between thecharacteristics and the features in portion 1212, the person can beidentified, and the method 1600 proceeds YES to step 1620. If there isno comparison, the method 1600 may proceed NO to step 1624. In step1620, the person may be identified by the vehicle control system 204.Thus, the person's features and associated data record 1240 may bedetermined and the user identified in portion 1208. If the person is notidentified, the vehicle control system 204 can characterize the personin step 1624 by establishing a new record in data structure 1204 usingthe characteristics, received from the sensors 242, for the features inportion 1212.

Thereinafter, the vehicle control system 204 may determine if gesturesare to be stored and associated with the user, in step 1628. The vehiclecontrol system 204 may receive user input on a touch sensitive displayor some other type of gesture capture region which acknowledges that theuser wishes to store one or more gestures. Thus, the user may createtheir own gestures such as those described in conjunction with FIGS.11A-11K. These gestures may then be characterized and stored in datastructure 1204. If there are gestures to be stored, the method 1600proceeds YES to step 1636. If gestures are not to be stored the method1600 may proceed NO to step 1632.

In step 1632, the vehicle control system 204 can retrieve currentgestures from portion 1232, which are associated with user 1240. Thesegestures may be used then to configure how the vehicle 104 will react ifa gesture is received. If gestures are to be stored, the vehicle controlsystem 204 may store characteristics, in step 1636, as received fromsensor 242 or from one more user interface inputs. These characteristicsmay then be used to create the stored gestures 1232, in data structure1204. The characteristics may include what the gesture looks like orappears and also what affect the gesture should have. This informationmay then be used to change the configuration or operation of the vehicle104 based on the gesture if it is received at a later time.

An embodiment of a method 1700 for receiving a gesture and configuringthe vehicle 104 based on the gesture may be as provided in FIG. 17. Ageneral order for the steps of the method 1700 is shown in FIG. 17.Generally, the method 1700 starts with a start operation 1704 and endswith an end operation 1728. The method 1700 can include more or fewersteps or can arrange the order of the steps differently than those shownin FIG. 17. The method 1700 can be executed as a set ofcomputer-executable instructions executed by a computer system andencoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Hereinafter, the method1700 shall be explained with reference to the systems, components,modules, software, data structures, user interfaces, etc. described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-16.

A vehicle control system 204 can receive sensor data from vehiclesensors 242. The vehicle sensor data can be used by the vehicle controlsystem 204 to determine that a person is in a zone 512 or area 508, instep 1708. The vehicle sensor data may then be used to compare againstfeature characteristics 1212 to identify a person, in step 1712. Thevehicle control system 204 thereinafter may receive a gesture, in step1716. The gesture may be perceived by vehicle sensors 242 or received ina gesture capture region. The gesture may be as described in conjunctionwith FIGS. 11A-11K. Upon receiving the gesture, the vehicle controlsystem 204 can compare the gesture to gesture characteristics in portion1232, in step 1720. The comparison may be made so that a statisticallysignificant correlation between the sensor data or gesture data and thegesture characteristic 1232 is made. Upon identifying the gesture, thevehicle control system 204 can configure the vehicle 104 and/or react tothe gesture, in step 1724. The configuration or reaction to the gesturemay be as prescribed in the gesture characteristic 1232.

An embodiment of a method 1800 for storing health data may be as shownin FIG. 18. A general order for the steps of the method 1800 is shown inFIG. 18. Generally, the method 1800 starts with a start operation 1804and ends with an end operation 1844. The method 1800 can include more orfewer steps or can arrange the order of the steps differently than thoseshown in FIG. 18. The method 1800 can be executed as a set ofcomputer-executable instructions executed by a computer system andencoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Hereinafter, the method1800 shall be explained with reference to the systems, components,modules, software, data structures, user interfaces, etc. described inconjunction with FIGS. 1-17.

Vehicle control system 204 can receive sensor data from sensors 242. Thesensor data may be used to determine that a person is in a zone 512 orarea 508, in step 1808. The sensor data may then be used to determinecharacteristics of the person, in step 1812. From the characteristics,the vehicle control system 204 can determine if a person may beidentified in data structure 1204, in step 1816. If it is determinedthat the person can be identified in step 1816, the method 1800 proceedsYES to step 1820. If the person cannot be identified, the method 1800proceeds NO to step 1824. A person may be identified by matching thecharacteristics of a person from the sensor data to the features shownin portion 1212. If these comparisons are statistically significant, theperson may be identified in portion 1208, in step 1820. However, if theperson is not identified in portion 1208, the vehicle control system 204can characterize the person using the vehicle sensor data, in step 1824.In this way, the vehicle control system 204 can create a new record fora new user in data structure 1204.

Thereinafter, the vehicle control system 204 may receive health and/orsafety data from the vehicle sensors 242, in step 1828. The vehiclecontrol system 204 can determine if the health or safety data is to bestored, in step 1832. The determination is made as to whether or notthere is sufficient health data or safety parameters, in portion 1228and 1236, to provide a reasonable baseline data pattern for the user1240. If there is data to be received and stored, the vehicle controlsystem 204 can store the data for the person in portions 1228 and 1236of the data structure 1204, in step 1832.

The vehicle control system 204 may then wait a period of time, in step1836. The period of time may be any amount of time from seconds tominutes to days. Thereinafter, the vehicle control system 204 canreceive new data from vehicle sensors 242, in step 1828. Thus, thevehicle control system 204 can receive data periodically and update orcontinue to refine the health data and safety parameters in datastructure 1204. Thereinafter, the vehicle control system 204 mayoptionally store the health and safety data in cloud storage 232 bysending it through the communication network 224 to the server 228, instep 1840.

An embodiment of a method 1900 for monitoring the health of a user maybe as shown in FIG. 19. A general order for the steps of the method 1900is shown in FIG. 19. Generally, the method 1900 starts with a startoperation 1904 and ends with an end operation 1928. The method 1900 caninclude more or fewer steps or can arrange the order of the stepsdifferently than those shown in FIG. 19. The method 1900 can be executedas a set of computer-executable instructions executed by a computersystem and encoded or stored on a computer readable medium. Hereinafter,the method 1900 shall be explained with reference to the systems,components, modules, software, data structures, user interfaces, etc.described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-18.

The vehicle control system 204 can receive health data from sensors 242.The health data may be received in step 1908. The vehicle control system204 may then compare the received health data to stored healthparameters in portion 1228 or portion 1236, in step 1912. The comparisonmay check if there is statistically significant separation ordisagreement between the received health data and the stored healthdata. Thus, the vehicle control system 204 can make a health comparisonof the user based on a baseline of health data previously stored. Astatistically significant comparison may include determining if thereare any parameters more than three standard deviations from the averageor norm, any parameter that is increasing or decreasing over a period ofeight different measurements, a measurement that is more than twostandard deviations from the norm more than three measurementsconsecutively, or other types of statistical comparisons.

If the vehicle control system 204 determines that measured healthparameter does deviate from the norm, the vehicle control system 204 candetermine whether the health data is within acceptable limits, in step1916. If the health data is within acceptable limits, the method 1900proceeds YES back to receiving new health data, in step 1908. In thisway, the health data is periodically or continually monitored to ensurethat the driver is in a healthy state and able to operate the vehicle.If the health data is not within acceptable parameters, the method 1900may proceed NO to step 1924 where the vehicle control system 204 mayreact to the change in the health data. The reaction may include anymeasure to provide for the safety of the user, such as stopping thevehicle, beginning to drive the vehicle, driving the vehicle to a newlocation, such as a hospital, waking the driver with an alarm or othernoise, or performing some other function that may help maintain thehealth or safety of the user.

The health data received may be a reaction from the driver. For example,the driver may call for help or ask the vehicle for assistance. Forexample, the driver or passenger may say that they are having a medicalemergency and ask the car to perform some function to help. The functionto help may include driving the person to a hospital or stopping the carand calling for emergency assistance.

FIG. 20 illustrates optional componentry that can be utilized with thesystem 200. In particular, the optional componentry includes a profilesubsystem 2004, an edit/modification module 2008, a verification module2012, a shopping module 2016, an encryption module 2020, a templatemodule 2024, a global standard template 2028, a profile import/exportmodule 2032, a communications device 212, such as a smart phone, tablet,or other device, one or more other communication devices 2044, one ormore other vehicles 2048, one or more other entities/servers 2052, aprofile repository 2056, a purchased item/environmental item detectionmodule 2036, an advertising module 2040, and profile data stored inprofile database 252, all connected by bus 356.

As discussed, one or more user profiles can be stored in the profiledatabase 252. A user profile may be accessed and/or modified by a userproviding authorization through a verification system in cooperationwith the verification module 2012. For example, by employing one or moreof a biometric, a gesture, a feature, a device notification, orauthentication information, the user can be authorized to access one ormore user profiles. In accordance with an optional embodiment, averification module 212 includes one or more of a biometric recognitionmodule, a gesture recognition module, a feature recognition module, adevice identification database and a device identificationauthentication module. An authorization and verification performed bythe verification module 2012, cooperating with the profile subsystem2004, may also optionally rely on verifying a user's biometricinformation in addition to a recognized identity of a specific device,e.g., smartphone, electronic user device, or in general any deviceassociated with the user.

The user profiles, whether created for a driver, a passenger, or a user,or others, are portable and can follow the user from vehicle to vehicle.As such, there may be a need to allow the user to edit/modify theirprofile through use of the edit/modification module 2008. Although notshown, the edit/modification module can include an appropriate userinterface, such as a graphical user interface, that can be provided onone or more of a vehicle display, a communications device, such as asmart phone, a personal computer, a tablet computer, or in general anydevice capable of displaying an interface that allows for a user toaccess, and edit, or modify their profile data.

As briefly discussed above, user profiles may be generated based on datagathered from one or more of the vehicle preferences, such as seatsettings, HVAC settings, multimedia settings, navigation settings,entertainment preferences, recorded settings, geographical locationinformation, such as that provided by a satellite positioning system,mobile device information, such as mobile device, electronic addresses,internet browsing history and content, application store selections,user settings, enabled and disabled vehicle features, and the like,private information, such as user information from a social network,user presence information, user business accounts, and the like, securedata, biometric information, audio information from onboard microphones,video information from onboard cameras, internet browsing history andbrowsed content using an onboard computer and with the local areanetwork enabled by the vehicle, an electronic map correlating geographiclocation information with a map feature, such as

a vendor's storefront, roadway name, city name, and the like, and soforth. In general, the user profile can also optionally generally storeuser setting preferences with respect to a selected object, such as thevehicle, user purchasing preferences, such as vendor name, location,purchased items, and the like, user driving behavior and preferences,user behavior with respect to the selected object, user socioeconomicstatus, user residence and business addresses, user communicationdevices and electronic addresses thereof, user biometric information andother user identification information, user family members and, for eachfamily member, any one or more of the above listed information.

In some instances, the user profile data may be stored as part of atemplate, in cooperation with a template module 2024. The user templatemay be stored locally, such as at the vehicle, at a mobile device, at aremote location(s), or the like. In a similar manner, user profile datamay be stored remotely, such as at a central server, on the cloud, orcombinations thereof, such as on a communication device 212, at anotherentity/server 2052, on another vehicle 2048, or on another communicationdevice or smart phone 2044. As can be appreciated, there are multiplestorage options for user profile information and user templates. Amongother things, the profiles may be stored on the cloud, on a phone, on avehicle, on a local storage memory, in a key fob, in a rental vehicle,or associated with another profile, such as a user's travel profile.

In accordance with an optional embodiment, and in cooperation with theencryption module 2020, the user profile may be all or partiallyencrypted. This user profile may be accessed/modified via a userprovided authorization through the verification module 2012. Asdiscussed, this can include employing at least one of a biometric,gesture recognition, feature recognition, device identificationrecognition, or other authentication technique(s). The authorization mayrely on verifying the user's biometric information in addition to arecognized identity of a specific device.

In accordance with one optional embodiment, in cooperation with thetemplate module 2024 and the global standard template 2028, a globalstandard template may be created. The global standard template can becommon among vehicles, manufacturers, company users, family members, orthe like. As one example, a particular vehicle manufacturer maydetermine to build a global standard template to provide a reliableframework for the presentation of vehicle features and/or providingcertain vehicle functionality. The global standard template may be usedin an advertising approach, to refine GPS and/or mapping routeselection, present advertisements, offer savings, and communicate withthe user. In another optional embodiment, a business may continuallyrent vehicles from a rental agency for its traveling employs. As such,the business may wish to build a global standard template that is alwayspresented to their employees to ensure consistency and reliability ofpresented vehicle features.

In some optional embodiments, the global standard template may beadopted by a user. In this scenario, the user may use a global standardtemplate and build the user's personal preferences, settings, and otheruser profile information from this “base” global standard templatestored in the global standard template database 2028. In conjunctionwith the template module 2024 and the edit/modification module 2008, theuser can access this global standard template and then edit/modify thistemplate to personalize it with their own personal settings and userinformation. As such, the global standard template may be provided as astarting point, upon which the user may build to create a trulypersonalized user profile which then can be stored as profile data 252.

The authentication performed by the verification module 2012 can bebased on the exchange of the security keys between the user, thevehicle, and/or even a server(s). This type of encryption may becryptographically asymmetric in nature, such as private and public keys.In one example, a user may maintain a private key on a mobile device,and a public key may be provided by a vehicle, such a rental vehicle. Inanother example, the user may maintain the private key on the mobiledevice, and the private key may be provided by the vehicle, such as arental vehicle. Other embodiments may use a private key on thecommunication device and a private key provided by the vehicle and/or apublic key on the phone and a public key provided by the vehicle. In yetanother embodiment, the exchange of keys may be facilitated via acertified trusted authority, similar to a certificate of authority (CA).

In another optional embodiment, a biometric verification, orconfirmation, of the user may be required prior to initiating theauthentication process performed by the verification module 2012. Forexample, the first step of authentication may include identifying one ormore biometric features of a user using any one or more of the sensorsdisclosed herein. Once the user is confirmed, the authentication mayproceed to exchange security keys.

Communications between a mobile device and a vehicle may be establishedvia one or more of near field communications, RFID, Bluetooth®, or othercommunications protocol, whether it be proprietary or open source. Anyof these communication protocols can be used to exchange profile dataand/or verification/authentication information.

The profile data may include a corresponding user interface orpersonality defined or configured by the user. The profile can be ananimated character that follows the user from car-to-car, and fromcommunication device-to-communication device. The profile can optionallybe updated globally though interactions with the selected device(whether a vehicle or communication device) with, for example,cloud-based data storage storing the profile. The animated character canhave the same appearance and voice characteristics as, for example, theuser. The animated character can also provide the user with feedback andrecommendations and receive user commands and requests, through one ormore of tactile, audio and/or video processing techniques as discussedhereinafter.

The user profiles, whether created for a passenger or user, such as thedriver, are portable and can follow a user(s) from vehicle to vehicle.In cooperation with the profile subsystem 2004, the profile data 252 canbe passed through the profile import/export module 2032 to one or moreother devices, such as device 212, another communication device such assmart phone 204, or another vehicle(s) 2048, or to another entity, orto, for example, a cloud 2052.

In one optional embodiment, the user profile can be accessed by anyvehicle, and based on the position of a user in the vehicle, populateavailable settings in the vehicle. As discussed, the various settingscan be different based on whether the user is the driver or a passenger,the position of the user in the vehicle, and/or other characteristicssuch as whether the user is of driving age, whether there are parentalcontrols in place associated with the user profile, and the like. It isanticipated that the user profile may be constantly improved, updatedand refined. As such, data may be constantly recorded to modify anexisting user profile and stored as profile data 252. In certaincircumstances, a user may wish to cease recording data associated with auser profile and/or edit or alter the user profile to include or excludeor modify selected information. In accordance with the profile subsystem2004 and the edit/modification module 2008, a user may turn off usertemplate data recording. For instance, the user may wish to travel toLas Vegas for a bachelor/bachelorette party. Although the user maytravel to numerous sites in and about Las Vegas, purchase many differentgoods and/or services, and even stay at one or more hotels/motels, thedata may not be congruent with the user's typical behavior. Accordingly,the user may place the recording of data in the profile on “pause” suchthat the data acquired in Las Vegas may be restricted from beingrecorded by a user's selection and approval.

In accordance with this optional “pause” feature, which can be evoked bythe edit/modification module 2008, one or more of the shopping module2016, purchased items/environmental items detection module 2036,advertising module 2040, the profile data itself 252 to be placed in a“paused” state where the profile data 252 is not updated. As will beappreciated, the user could also specify if the profile subsystem 2004is to query the user each time the system believes a profile update isto be performed. The user could then be provided the option, such a viaa graphical user interface, on whether or not that particular updateshould be recorded in the profile data 252.

As generally discussed, user profiles and the global standard template,such as 2028, can include, but are in no way limited to, the followingdata and/or information: vehicle settings and other user profile datathat may be stored to a mobile device associated with the user, on thecloud, and/or a memory associated with the vehicle. This data can beportable, and in cooperation with the profile import/export module 2032,be transferred from one vehicle to another, or from a vehicle to anotherdevice or storage location(s).

Passenger information, including but not limited to shoppingcharacteristics, searched web pages, vehicle settings, such as climatecontrols, radio stations, window tint levels, color schemes, informationpresentation write outs, etcetera, can be saved to a passenger profileand similarly stored as profile data 252. In a like manner, there can bedifferent types of global standard templates 2028 that can be used as astarting point when developing a profile.

For example if a user is not of driving age, and will only be apassenger, a global standard template can be provided 2028 that isspecifically for a passenger who does not have a drivers license, andmay not have some of the features, settings, and preferences that theglobal standard template for a user, who has a drivers license, mayhave. In a similar manner, and as discussed, and in cooperation with thetemplate module 2024 and edit/modification module 2008, a user couldedit/modify this template which has been stored as profile data 252.Again, this profile data could be portable and also stored and/ortransferred to one or more other devices, such as device 212, anothersmart phone 2044, the cloud, or the like, as discussed.

In accordance with another optional embodiment, and in cooperation withthe purchased item/environmental item detection module 2036, and one ormore of the sensors/monitors disclosed herein, purchased items can beidentified and their identification stored with the profile data 252.For example, utilizing one or more of audio, a camera, or other videoinput, RFID readers and tags, bar code readers, QR (Quick Response) codereaders or the like, one or more purchased items could be determined andidentified and the purchased item(s) (or other item/object placed in thevehicle) associated with the user and/or vehicle and stored in a profiledata 252. For example, what a user is wearing, such as brand names,styles, etcetera, can be recognized and stored as profile data 252, aswell as what a user has purchased, such as by observing that a fast foodchain bag is in the car, a particular brand of coffee, as identified byreading a company logo, information from one or more shopping bags,etcetera, can all be analyzed and an assessment of the origin of theproducts determined. This can be then used by, for example, theadvertising module 2040 as discussed hereinafter to determine anadvertising scheme to present one or more advertisements to the user.

Again, this information, e.g. logos, brand names, shopping bagidentifiers, etcetera, can be detected using one or more of RFID, QRcodes, bar codes, video analysis, camera analysis, or the like.Similarly, the purchased item/environmental item detection module 2036can detect a digital receipt associated with a mobile device, such asdevice 212, and determined which purchases have been made therefrom. Forexample, interacting with one or more of a frequent fueler card, aloyalty card, a coffee shop chain mobile application, or the like, thepurchased item/environmental item detection module 2036 can determinewhich purchases a user has made. This information could then optionallybe stored with the profile data 252. It is to be appreciated that thevarious sensors, cameras, readers, and the like, can also be included ina trunk of a vehicle/bed of a vehicle to facilitate the detection of oneor more purchased items or other objects as discussed herein.

Optionally, GPS information can be used to assist with determining whatthe one or more purchased items/environmental item introduced into thevehicle are. This GPS information can similarly be stored in the profiledata 252 such as where a user shops, which stores a user parks close to,which stores a user frequents, and the like. For example, utilizing GPStechnology, the user's travel path during a time period can be trackedand is correlated to where the user has shopped. This can be then usedin conjunction with the techniques discussed above to further supplementthe information in the profile data 252 with information such as wherethe user has shopped, where they frequent, and can further be used toassist in determining which item(s) have been brought into the vehicle.Additionally, the purchased item/environmental item detection module2036 could query another device, such as a smart phone, and if the smartphone includes GPS capabilities, determine where the user was based onthe information from the smart phone, when they were not in theirvehicle. This information could further be used to refine and optionallyhelp identify which purchased items the user may now have with them inthe vehicle.

An Example of the Global Standard Template for a specific vehiclemanufacturer is:

Car Brand X Setting: User 1 Seat Position Position 2 Mirror Position X,Y, Z Position Infotainment Settings Radio On, 99.5 FM, Volume 4Navigation Settings Navigation On, Map View Vehicle Mode Sport Mode HVACDriver 68, Passenger 70 Car Brand X Advertising Off Car Brand XReminders On (Display on Video Only, no Audio) Car Brand X Vehicle On -Send to Both User and Manufacturer Statistics Reporting andDealer/Maintenance Shop

An example of the multiple profiles that can be managed by a singlevehicle are as follows: (as should be appreciated, rules/preferences mayexist such that the vehicle uses one user's settings instead of anotheruser's settings, e.g., driver instead of back seat passenger in theevent of a conflict)

Profiles Associated with Vehicle User 2 (Front User 2 (Back Setting:User 1 (Driver) Seat Passenger) Seat Passenger) Seat Position Position 2Position 3 N/A Mirror Position X, Y, Z Position N/A N/A InfotainmentRadio On, 99.5 FM, CD Player On, DVD Player - Settings Volume 4 Volume2, Vol. 11 Bass +5, Treble −1 Navigation Navigation On, Map Off N/ASettings View Vehicle Mode Sport Mode Comfort N/A HVAC Driver 68,Passenger Driver 70, 65 70 Passenger 70 Car Brand X Off Off On - SendAdvertising to Phone Car Brand X On (Display on Video Off N/A RemindersOnly, no Audio) Car Brand X On - Send to Both Off N/A Vehicle User andManufacturer Statistics and Dealer/ Reporting Maintenance Shop

In accordance with another optional embodiment, and in cooperation withthe shopping module 2016, one or more of shopping lists, reminders,favorite shopping locations, and shopping deals of interest may beprovided to a user based on, for example, information in the profiledata 252. Additionally, as discussed hereinafter, information maintainedby the shopping module 2016 may be utilized by the advertising module2040 to provide, for example, targeted advertising for one or more usersin the vehicle. This targeted advertising can be sent to the vehicleitself for display on, for example, a screen, and/or could be sentdirectly to a user's communications device such as a smart phone.

As discussed, communications between a mobile device, such as device212, and a vehicle may be established via one or more of near fieldcommunications, RFID, Bluetooth®, or other communications protocol, beit proprietary or open source. By way of example, a user with a mobiledevice, such as a smart phone, tablet, laptop computer, etcetera, suchas device 212, having at least one user profile associated therewith,may enter a vehicle where the vehicle is configured to enablecommunications with the mobile device. In cooperation with the profileimport/export module 2032, and one or more sensors as discussed above,the vehicle may determine a location of the mobile device inside thevehicle, and based, at least partially on that location, provide one ormore features and/or controls to the user via, for example, a displayassociated with the vehicle. As will be appreciated, these featuresand/or controls could also be provided audibly to a user, with the userconfirming whether or not they want that feature and/or control, orproviding the value or setting of that feature and/or control back tothe system in an audible manner which can be detected by one or moremicrophones in the vehicle. In some cases, the user may pair theirmobile device with the vehicle via a physical presence and/or contact.For instance, one example of the physical contact may includepositioning the mobile device into a range associated with a NFC.Another example of physical contact may include a user physicallypairing the device via Bluetooth®, via a wired connection, or by a dockassociated with/installed in the vehicle.

In accordance with an optional embodiment, user profile(s) may bepresented, or uploaded, to a vehicle in advance of a user reaching avehicle. For example, in a rental car scenario, a car rental agency canmaintain a profile for each customer and upload their profile onto thecar rented to the customer at the time the leasing is consummated, or,for example, when the user picks-up the leased vehicle. In oneembodiment, a user may save a user profile with a rental vehicle agencyduring the registration/reservation process. Saving the user profile maybe performed automatically or, for example, via user input. For example,a user profile may be associated with a smart phone, tablet, computer,or other device as provided herein. While the user in this example ismaking a reservation with a rental agency via the device, the userprofile associated with the user may be automatically transmitted to therental agency via the device. Transmission of the user profile may betimed to coincide with payment of rental and/or reservation fees.

More specifically, and in accordance with an exemplary usage scenario, auser's profile is stored as profile data 252 on a smart phone 212. Whenthe user, utilizing a car rental agency app on a smart phone 212, placesa reservation for a rental car the app could query the user as towhether they would like to associate their profile data 252 with thevehicle rental. If the user opts to associate their profile data 252with the rental, their profile data 252 can be communicated from thesmart phone 212 to, for example, server 2052, which in this exemplaryembodiment, is associated with the car rental agency and then stored inthe car rental agency's profile repository 2056. Then, upon the userrenting the vehicle, the profile which was stored in profile repository2056, can be forwarded in cooperation with the profile import/exportmodule 2032 associated and stored in the vehicle that the user hasleased. In a similar manner, upon the user completing the vehicle lease,any updates made to the profile could then be exported from the rentalvehicle, in cooperation with the rental vehicle's profile import/exportmodule 2032, and stored in the profile repository 2056. This updatedprofile information could then, for example, be used for future vehicleleases and/or reconciled with the user's profile data stored on, forexample, their smart phone and/or a primary vehicle that they may drive.

In accordance with an optional embodiment, upon the user completing thenecessary paperwork for the leased vehicle, and in cooperation with theprofile repository 2056 and the profile import/export module 2032associated with the rental vehicle, while the user is walking from therental desk to their car, the car can be automatically adjusting all ofthe vehicle settings as set forth in the user's profile (to the extentpossible). In this way, the user need not manually select any settingswhen he or she begins driving the rental vehicle.

For instance, as part of a travel package, a rental car system may beable to link a reservation to where the user is staying, where the userhas dinner reservations, and the like, based on the mobile deviceassociated with the user. The system may then export, for example, oneor more of a text message, an email, a phone call, or other signal tothe mobile device, and request access to the user's profile stored onthat mobile device. If the system is authorized to retrieve the user'sprofile from the mobile device, this user profile can be obtained andassociated with the rental vehicle and the settings associated with theuser profile used to update the leased vehicle prior the user actuallyusing the leased vehicle.

Similarly, and given the portability of the user's profile stored asprofile data, administrative assistants, travel agents, family members,and the like, can reserve a vehicle on behalf of another individual andlink (or associate) the user profile of the person renting the vehicleto the reservation based on, for example, the user's mobile device phonenumber. In accordance with this optional working embodiment, the profiledata 252 need not necessarily be stored in the profile repository 2056,but can rather be retrieved from the user's mobile communicationsdevice, that way insuring that the most up to date profile data isavailable when the user leases the vehicle.

In accordance with another optional embodiment, the mobile device canact as the key. For example, a phone number may be embedded in theprivate key of the mobile device. The public key may be presented to therental car. In some cases, a combination of phone number and device ID,such as EIN, MAC address, and the like, may be used as part of theauthentication process. Utilizing these various portions of information,a mobile device can then act as the key to enable operation of thevehicle.

As illustrated in FIG. 21, an exemplary scenario is shown where a userapproaches a rental vehicle that they have leased. In cooperation withthe profile import/export module 2032, profile data is obtained from thesmart phone 2104 and sent to the rental vehicle. User identificationmodule 822 confirms, as discussed herein, this is the appropriate userfor the lease of the vehicle and triggers the association of the profiledata 252 from the smart phone 212 with the profile data repository 252in the vehicle. Upon integration of the profile data 252 into thevehicle, the vehicle can optionally show, via display 2116, a welcomemessage to the vehicle lessee, as well as a summary that shows, forexample, which of their profile data settings have been used to updatethe operation of the vehicle. Additionally, interface 2116 optionallyasked the user if they would want to associate another profile with thevehicle by providing button 2120 which would allow the user, uponselection, to associate one or more other profiles with the vehicle.Optionally, further, another button 2124 could be provided where, forexample, the profile recognized by the vehicle is not the appropriateprofile for the current driver. This could happen in a scenario where,for example, multiple drivers have been associated with a rental leaseand the profile associated with the vehicle may not be the currentdriver, and the system needs to select another profile associated withthe lease based on who the current driver will be.

In accordance with another optional embodiment, in cooperation with theadvertising module 2040 as discussed above, various advertisements couldbe sent to one or more of the vehicle associated with the profile data,the mobile device associated with the user, or the like. The advertisingmodule 2040 can also operate in a dynamic manner such that theadvertising module 2040 is capable of updating radio or multimediaadvertisements presented to a vehicle based on information in theprofile data. Even further, when a user is finished with a vehiclelease, the advertising module 2040 may continue to send advertisementsto the mobile device and/or email of the user who rented the vehicle.

Furthermore, in cooperation with one or more of the shopping module 2016and the purchased items/environmental items detection module 2036, thesystem can allow truly comparative shopping. For example, informationmay be presented to a user, including, but not limited to, coupons,savings, deals, gas prices, vehicle maintenance specials, and the like.This information may be presented based on previous purchases andshopping behavior associated with the user profile, where the usertypically travels or is expected to travel, or the like. For example,the system may know that the user recently bought tomatoes and onions onthe last shopping trip one week ago. The system may also know that superstore Y is currently offering 40% off of all onions and tomatoes and theuser is expected to pass by super store Y in the next five minutes. Thesystem, in cooperation with the advertising module 2040, could thenprovide this information to the user one or more of audibly and visuallyand indicate to the user that they will be passing super store Yshortly, on the right hand side of the road.

FIG. 22 outlines an optional embodiment utilized for guest vehicle userreporting as well as other functionality. This subsystem includes, forexample, vehicle personality data 2204, a vehicle reporting module 2208,a smart calendar module 2212, a context module 2216 that can cooperatewith, for example, breathalyzer 2220, one or more remote access devices2224, a camera application module 2224, an expression/facial ID/gesturerepository 2228, and a parental control module 2232.

In accordance with an optional operational embodiment, a vehicle mayreport vehicle conditions, such as number of passengers in the vehicle,speeds—average, maximum, minimum—time at a location, time leaving alocation, time arriving at a location, GPS data, and in general, anyinformation associated with the vehicle, to a user at the user'srequest, automatically, or when a user is away from a vehicle. The usermay request and obtain one or more of images of the inside the vehicle,and can optionally directly communicate with the vehicle, and evencontrol certain vehicle features and functions. The vehicle could alsobe instructed to shut down when the owner leaves for a weekend, and doesnot want others using it.

The vehicle may initiate communications with one or more third partiesbased on context of the vehicle and/or the user, in cooperation with thecontext module 2216. For example, in some cases, the vehicle can set upa second personality for the user via the user's mobile device. As oneexample, communications sent via the vehicle, not the user, can beassociated with a vehicle personality. In some embodiments, the secondpersonality may be identified via an icon or other identifier associatedwith a communication. As one example, the vehicle may set up a grouppersonality to represent two or more users associated with the vehicle.The group personality which can be stored in the vehicle personalitydata repository 2204 may depend on the number of people detected in thevehicle. Moreover, the group personality may send communications via atleast one of the user's mobile devices. For example, communication(s)sent via the vehicle, not the user(s), could be associated with avehicle group personality. Similar to the second personality previouslydisclosed, in some embodiments, the group personality may be identifiedvia an icon or other identifier associated with the communication. Asone example, a user may be traveling home from work, with thisdetermination capable of being predicted based on prior trips made ofthe same or similar time of day by the same user, the vehicle may send amessage, such as a text message, phone call, email, etcetera, to a thirdparty to indicate the user is coming home. In some cases, the messagemay be identified as being sent from the vehicle, utilizing a vehicleicon associated with the message, or other similar identifier. The thirdparty may respond to the message, which can then be relayed, one or moreof visually and/or audibly, to the user via the components of thevehicle, such as via a dashboard display, head unit, speakers, or thelike. By way of example, a third party may state “Please pick up someeggs and fabric softener before you come home, thanks.” This informationthen can be relayed by the vehicle and to, for example, the driver. Inthis manner, the context module 2216 can monitor one or more aspects ofthe vehicle, including time leaving a location, destination informationentered into the navigation system, arrival time at the destination,projected travel path, etc., and conclude, for example, as in the abovescenario, that the user has left work and they are on their way home.

Continuing on with the above example, on receipt of the message thateggs and fabric softener are to be picked up, the context module 2216,cooperating with one or more of vehicle personality data 2204, shoppingmodule 2016, and navigation module, could, upon recognizing thatshopping items are to be picked up, appropriately reroute the user tothe closest or preferred shopping location on the trip home to obtainthe requested items.

In another optional embodiment, a vehicle may report vehicle conditions,such as the number of passengers in the vehicle, speed, etcetera, to auser at the user's communication or electronic device, or when a user isaway from a vehicle. For example, and in cooperation with remote accessdevice 2224 and the vehicle reporting module 2208, a user could remotelyaccess a vehicle and query information regarding any aspect of thevehicle's operation, as well as vehicle conditions as enumerated asabove. The user, again using the remote access device 2224, could alsorequest and obtain one or more of an image or images of the inside ofthe vehicle, directly communicate with the vehicle, and/or controlcertain features of the vehicle. For example, the user could remotelyconnect to the vehicle using the remote access device 2224, and theiridentity confirmed in cooperation with the user identification module822 and information in profile data 252. Upon confirming the user isauthorized to access and perform one or more functions and/or requestinformation from the vehicle, the user is allowed to perform thesefunctions. It should be appreciated, however, that based on currentoperating conditions of the vehicle, and optionally based on informationin the profile, there may be restrictions on the type of functions theremote user is able to enable/disable as well as the type ofcommunications that are allowed to be communicated to the vehicle.

In accordance with an optional embodiment, vehicle functions can becontrolled based on information obtained from the vehicle reportingmodule 2208. For example, if it is determined, by using the cameraapplication module 2224, that the vehicle is overcrowded, an instructioncould be provided to the driver indicating that they are to stop thevehicle because it is overcrowded and remove one or more passengers fromthe vehicle before they are allowed to continue. These various functionsand controls can further be modified based on information associatedwith the parental control module 2232. For example, the parent couldimpose a restriction that a young driver is not to have more than twopeople in the vehicle, even though the vehicle could, for example, holdsix individuals. Thus, when the vehicle reporting module 2208,cooperating with the camera application module 2224, determines that thevehicle has more occupants than that allowed by the parental controlmodule 2232, this information can be reported to the remote accessdevice 2224, as well as optionally sent to one or more other devices,such as smart phone 212. As discussed, one or more of vehiclefunctionality and/or communications could then be established to ensurethe problem with vehicle overcrowding has been addressed, and thevehicle is now in conformance with one or more rules managed by theparental control module 2232.

In accordance with another optional embodiment, the car can sync withone or more calendars to create one or more of smart alarms and updates.A smart alarm is an alarm that instead of a standard 15 minute warningbefore a meeting, if it is an offsite meeting with an address entered,the system can determine how much time it will take based on traffic,driving habits, and the amount of time it generally takes to exit theoffice and get to the car, etcetera, and change the smart alarmaccordingly. The updates can be triggered based upon the time ofarrival, determination from the GPS, or as calculated above, and amessage such as an email, text message or the like, sent to the otherattendees to advise them as to when the user is expected to arrive.Similarly, a prompt can be provided for the user to call the meetingmoderator, advising them of their ETA.

Similarly, if the vehicle determines that it is stopping for a coffee,an update could be sent to the other meeting attendees asking themwhether they would like anything from the coffee shop. This informationcould then be communicated to the user via one or more the vehicle or onanother device, such as their smart phone.

This smart calendar module 2212 is further capable of accessinginformation from a remote device, such as the smart phone 212, andintegrating various information therefrom, such as from a calendar onthe smart phone. In a similar manner, the smart calendar module 2212 canremotely communicate with the user's calendar that might be associatedwith the vehicle or stored on the cloud. Utilizing one or more of thevarious communication functions of the vehicle, information in theuser's calendar in the cloud could be obtained and utilized, asdiscussed above, to assist the user with their daily tasks.

In accordance of another exemplary embodiment, context module 2216 cancooperate with another sensor, such as breathalyzer 2220 to ensurecompliance with drunk driving laws. In a working example, the contextmodule 2216, cooperating with the user identification module 822,determines that a user who has had a bad past experience with drivingwhile under the influence is currently identified as the driver of thevehicle. The profile data 252 can indicate the driver, perhaps, has apast DUI and is not allowed to drive any vehicle unless they pass abreathalyzer test. In this scenario, the context module 2216 can limitfunctionality of the vehicle, and for example, not allow the driver tostart the vehicle, unless the breathalyzer test has been completedsuccessfully. Moreover, and in cooperation with the vehicle reportingmodule 2208, the results of this breathalyzer test can be sent to one ormore entities, such as a monitoring entity, that monitors whether or notthe driver has attempted to drive the vehicle that is under theinfluence. Similarly, the vehicle reporting module 2208 could establishcommunications with a law enforcement agency indicating the current GPScoordinates of the vehicle, and that a user who is under the influencehas not passed a breathalyzer test and is attempting to drive thevehicle. A log of the various breathalyzer tests could also be stored inthe profile data 252, and accessed by, for example, a law enforcementagency.

In accordance with another exemplary operational scenario, and incooperation, for example, with a smart calendar module 2212, contextmodule 2216 and vehicle reporting module 2208, the vehicle can determinethat the user is going to be out of town for the weekend, and not usingthe vehicle, based on information in user's calendar. In this context,the context module 2216 would know that the user is not going to beusing the vehicle, so the vehicle shouldn't be used. Thus, if someonetries to the use the vehicle, the vehicle, cooperating with the vehiclereporting module 2208, could contact one or more of the user's smartphone and remote access device 2224 and ask the owner whether permissionis granted for someone to use the vehicle. Moreover, and in cooperationwith the camera application module 2224, the vehicle reporting module2208 could send an image of the vehicle occupant(s) along to the ownerwith the request for permission to use the vehicle. If the owner deniespermission, the owner could return a message to the vehicle indicatingthat the vehicle is not to be used, and the context module 2216cooperating with various vehicle functions and systems shut down thevehicle to prevent the vehicles use.

In another exemplary scenario, the context module 2216 cooperating withthe parental control module 2232 could require the vehicle to receivetest results from the breathalyzer 2220 if a child is out past 8 PM andtrying to use the vehicle. In a similar manner, and in again in concertwith the context module 2216 and the GPS module, the system coulddetermine that the vehicle has been sitting outside of a bar for over anhour, and implement a similar requirement for a breathalyzer test to beperformed before the ignition is activated.

In accordance with another exemplary operational scenario, the vehiclecould know a child's curfew and also know the distance from home. Giventhat information, the context module 2216, cooperating with the vehiclereporting module 2208, could inform the child, via a communication to asmart phone, that they have to go. Furthermore, since the system canknow the occupants, utilizing one or more of the user identificationmodule 822, the camera application module 2224, and the profile dataassociated with the vehicle, the context module 2216 could also includeinformation to assist with successfully delivering the other vehicleoccupants home in a timely manner.

In accordance with another exemplary operational scenario, the cameraapplication module 2224, in cooperation with the expression/facialID/gesture database 2228, and the context module 2216, can determine theemotional state of one or more occupants in the vehicle. Informationfrom the camera application module 2224 can be correlated with profiledata and through use of the user identification data module 822determine which captured image(s) belongs to which vehicle occupant. Forexample, the profile data 252 may include biometric information, such asfacial information, for the user associated with that profile. Acontroller or processor could then map the obtained one or more imagesto information in the profile data utilizing known facial recognitiontechniques, and in cooperation with the context module 2216, determinean emotional state associated with one or more of the users in thevehicle. These various emotional states could then be reported, forexample, using the vehicle reporting module 2208, to one or more otherdestinations, such as to the occupants' parents via a communication totheir smart phone or other electronic device.

In a similar manner, the camera application module 2224 cooperating withthe context module 2216 and vehicle reporting module 2208 could monitorfor unusual behavior, such as obscene gestures by one of the vehicleoccupants. The obscene gestures could be recognized based on informationin the gesture database 2228, and upon detection of one of thesegestures by the camera application module 2224, the vehicle reportingmodule 2208 send an appropriate communication to, for example, parentsor owners of the vehicle indicating one or more of the occupants may bebehaving in an unsafe manner. An image of the obscene gesture could alsobe sent along with the communication to one or more of the parents orowners of the vehicle, as well as this information optionally stored inthe user's profile for use in some other application, such as insurancereporting and monitoring as discussed herein.

As an extension for the above scenario, the vehicle could use one ormore of its sensors, such as a camera in the camera application module2224, to recognize the face of a person blowing into the breathalyzer2220 for affirmative identification and to prevent fraudulent attemptsto bypass the system. As discussed, profile data 252 can includeinformation usable for facial recognition. This information is useableby the context module 2216 to confirm the individual utilizing thebreathalyzer is the person that will be operating the vehicle. As aparental control, and in cooperation with the parental control module2232, the vehicle could require a child to use it prior to activatingthe ignition on any night they are out past 8 PM. The car could know thechild's curfew, and also know the distance from home. Given thatinformation the vehicle could inform the child they need to leaveimmediately in order to make it home on time, and it can optionallyrequire the child to utilize the breathalyzer before enabling theignition system. It is to be appreciated that parental control is notlimited to a parent-child relationship, but may also refer to one who isin control of a subordinate or lawbreaker, such as a child, a parolee,an employee, and the like. As discussed, notification of a user failingto pass a breathalyzer test, whether the breathalyzer is part of thevehicle or another vehicle, remote or otherwise, could be sent to thepolice or authorities as appropriate. In some cases, the signal maycontinue to be sent unless deactivated by an authorized party. Thiscould assist law enforcement officers with apprehending drivers who maybe under the influence.

In accordance with another optional embodiment, other car-based cameraapplications can be implemented by the camera application module 2224,cooperating with one or more of the other elements of the vehiclesystems. For sleep detection, such as driver head bobbing, blink rate,and other gestures which indicate a driver is falling asleep, the cameraapplication module 2224, cooperating with the expression/facialID/gesture database 2228, could trigger one or more of an audible,visual, or tactile warning to the driver to wake up. Furthermore, thiswarning could be sent to one or more of the other vehicle occupants, andalert them to the fact that the driver is falling asleep, and theyshould engage the driver to ensure they stay awake.

In another optional embodiment, the camera, cooperating with the cameraapplication module 2224, can utilize the detection of positional basedmovements to regulate accessibility to the car control console. Forexample, when a driver reaches for the console, this can result islimited access to functionality to the console, or as a passengerreaching for the console, this could result in additional functionalitybeing provided to that user. An example of this is manipulation of thenavigational system. Most navigational systems require the user, e.g.driver, to be stopped before they are allowed to enter information suchas destination address information. However, camera application module2224, cooperating with one or more of the vehicle cameras, coulddetermine that in the instance when the passenger is attempting toaccess the navigation system, the navigation system allows for thepassenger to enter destination address information, even though thevehicle may be traveling at a rapid rate. In a similar manner, thecamera can be capable of sensing direction from which a motion iscoming, and change the accessibility to one or more functions of theconsole, where, for example, a 3D camera can be used to capture gesturesin space. Capturing a three-dimensional gesture in space can be used ina similar manner to the above, where the vehicle control consolefunctionality is modified based on who is trying to access it.

Context module 2216, cooperating with one or more of the useridentification module, various profile data, and a camera, as well asthe camera application module and associated database 2228, can alsorecognize the number of passengers in the car, and optionally, who thepassengers are. Based on this information, the context module 2216 canchange the environment depending upon who is in the car. This includes,but is not limited to, music, climate, seat position, and the like. Forexample, if the context module 2216 is able to determine, based onfacial recognition and information in the profile data, that the user inthe front passenger is 4′11″ tall, and the passenger in the rear seatbehind front seat passenger is 6′2″, the context module 2216 couldadjust the seat of the front seat passenger to provide greater leg roomto the rear seat passenger. The context module 2216 can further beutilized to recognize, with the assistance of the camera applicationmodule 2224 and the expression database 2228 facial expressions of oneor more of the vehicle occupants and adjust the cabin environmentaccordingly or even driving characteristics of the vehicle. For example,if it is determined that the vehicle occupants appear to be drowsy, thecontext module 2216 can instruct the HVAC system to lower thetemperature of the vehicle to assist with waking up the vehicleoccupants. This could be especially important if it is determined thatthe driver is showing signs of drowsiness as discussed above.

In accordance with another optional embodiment, the camera applicationmodule 2224 can cooperate with one or more vehicle cameras and/orsensors such that gestures in the air, such as swipes, drags, or thelike, that many people are already familiar with by virtue of smartphone technology and tablets, can be recognized without the usernecessarily touching a touch screen. These recognized expression by thecamera application module 2224 could then be used to control one or morefunctions of the vehicle, provide control of one or more touchscreendisplays, and/or can be used in a virtual environment such as when a 3Dtouchscreen is provided that is manipulatable via one or morethree-dimensional gestures or expressions.

The parental control module 2232 can also be utilized in conjunctionwith facial recognition technology and camera application module 2224such that pictures of all the allowed drives and/or passengers are knownby the various vehicle systems. In the event that a vehicle systemdoesn't recognize an occupant as one of the allowed individuals, the carcontrol system can be managed by the context module 2216, and rules inthe parental control module 2232, to take various actions, such as notallowing the engine to start, sending an alert via the vehicle orwarning module 2208, or the like. In a similar manner, facialrecognition of a driver can be used to limit what young drivers can doin the car, or to generate an automatic alert if certain “rules” arebroken that are maintained in the parental control module 2232. Forexample, one or more rules in the parental control module 2232 maydictate that a young driver cannot drive more than 20 miles from home,cannot go on the interstate, or the like. In these instances, if these“rules” are broken, and in cooperation with the context module 2216 andvehicle reporting module 2208, various notifications can be sent to oneor more destinations. In a similar manner, these “rules” could be usedto regulate one or more car functions, such as the vehicle's maximumspeed, number of occupants in the vehicle, the availability ofmultimedia/infotainment information, infotainment volumes settings, andthe like. Engine/vehicle operational rules can also be established thatrestrict or otherwise regulate any vehicle function, and in cooperationwith the context module 2216 can prohibit undesired or unwanted vehicleoperations, e.g., flooring the accelerator.

As will be appreciated, the above situational control of the car'senvironment or access to various controls and/or entertainment and/orfunctionality, can be dynamic and based on who is in the car, where thecar is located, driving conditions, e.g. weather conditions, and thelike.

In accordance with another optional embodiment, the context module 2216functionality can be extended to the user's smartphone, tablet, or othercomputing device. For example, the context module 2216 could have anextension application that runs on one or more of these user devices, toassist with integrating user context into the vehicle experience. Forexample, when a user does a search at the office or at home fordirections to a particular destination, and then the context module 2216determines that the user gets in their vehicle the directions and/or mapthat the user just searched for can be sent to the vehicle's navigationsystem. This functionality can be extended to cooperation with the smartcalendar module 2212, such that if it is 20 minutes before a user'sappointment, and the user looks up the address associated withinformation in the appointment, the context module 2216 could make theassumption that the user has requested the directions/map for thisappointment, and ensure the vehicle has this information to assist withthe user arriving at their destination in a timely manner.

In accordance with another optional embodiment, the breathalyzer 2220need not necessarily be associated with the vehicle, but informationfrom a remote breathalyzer, coupled with time proximity information beutilized to control various car functions. For example, if an intendeddriver blows into a remote breathalyzer 45 seconds before entering avehicle, the context module 2216 could assume that the breathalyzerinformation is accurate, and in cooperation with the parental controlmodule 2232, allow operation of the vehicle if the user is under apredetermined limit.

In a further example of the sophistication of the context module 2216,the context module 2216 can cooperate with vehicle GPS information tocontrol one or more functions of the vehicle, as well as one or moreother remote functions, such as functions at home. For example, as auser drives away from their home, the thermostat can be set to a, forexample, lower predetermined temperature. When the user returns home, oris within a certain proximity of their home, the thermostat can bereturned to a preset level. When the user is a certain distance fromtheir home, the garage door may open upon checking, utilizing the useridentification module 822, that the occupant of the vehicle is thehomeowner. The inside garage door to the home can be opened, and uponthe vehicle entering the garage, the outside garage door closed. As afurther example of the knowledge and sophistication of the contextmodule 2216, the context module can cooperate with one or more othersystems such that context module 2216 is aware of what the user waswatching in the home, so if the user leaves the home to go on a shoppingtrip during a football game, the car entertainment system can tune intothe game and make it available to the user while they are on theirshopping trip. In this manner, profile data can be extended to includeinformation from the cable or TV provider and/or the cable or TVprovider can be in communication with the vehicle. Expanding furtherupon these basic concepts, in any smart home environment, one or moresmart home appliances are able to communicate with the vehicle toprovide information to the driver about the need, for example, forvarious consumables. For example, a smart refrigerator could contact thevehicle and inform the driver that they are out of milk.

The context module 2216 is, however, not limited to user-centeredcontext determination. Rather, the context module 2216 could be used inassociation with any vehicle functionality, and could be especiallyuseful with automatic diagnostic assessments about a vehicle's “health”with this information usable to determine maintenance schedules, theneed for repair parts, or the like. For example, the context module 2216can cooperate with one or more of the vehicle sensors to determine whena vehicle needs maintenance. This information could further be used todetermine which repair parts are required, send this list to the dealeror other repair shop that the user prefers, and also schedule anappointment, while taking into consideration any information in theuser's calendar by the smart calendar module 2212. As will beappreciated, if this is done on a large scale, a car manufacturer canactually collect large sets of data to assess a particular make andmodel's design flaws, reliability, service requirements, fuel, and/oroil or other consumables consumption, or the like. The receipt of thisinformation could result in automatic alerts being sent to one or moreof the driver or another entity, such as a dealer, and as discussed,could also result in the automatic ordering of parts needed for repairand/or maintenance of the vehicle.

In accordance with another optional embodiment, the context module 2216can use smart GPS information to assist the driver with arriving attheir destination. For example, if a user contacts a restaurant via thevehicle communication system and/or a smartphone while in the vehicle,to make a reservation for dinner, the destination restaurant can returnto the user, in a special message, GPS information associated with thatrestaurant's location. This message can be assessed and integrated intothe necessary vehicle system, and in particular, the navigation system,such that navigational directions can be provided to the user to assistthem with arrival at this destination restaurant. For example, onestablishment of the communication session between the user and therestaurant, the user's phone number is known by the restaurant, andsince this communication device, and hence the phone number, has beenpaired with the vehicle, the vehicle is capable of receiving themessage, and hence the destination restaurant GPS information.

FIG. 23 outlines an exemplary method of profile editing/modification. Inparticular, control begins in step S2300 and continues to step S2304. Instep S2304, the user profile access request is received. Next, in stepS2308, a determination is made if a profile already exists. If a profiledoes not exist, control continues to step S2312, where a new profile canbe created. As discussed, this new profile can be created from scratch,or can be based on a global standard template, or based on some othertemplate, for example, which can be that of another user. Control thencontinues to step S2316.

In step S2316, a verification could optionally be performed to ensurethe user is authorized to access the profile. Similarly, in step S2320,one or more of biometric information, gesture recognition, featurerecognition, device identification, password recognition, or the like,can be used for verification of the user before access to the requestedprofile is granted. Next, in step S2324, the authentication andexchanging of one or more keys can optionally be performed, such as theexchange of a public and/or private key, as discussed above. Then, instep S2328, if one or more of verification or authentication aresuccessful, the user can be allowed to edit/modify the accessed profile.Upon completion of any edit/modifications, the profile can be saved instep S2332, with control continuing to step S2336.

In step S2336, the saved profile can optionally be transmitted to one ormore other vehicles, or one or more other devices or locations on acommunications network as discussed. Next, in step S2340, adetermination is made as to whether the transmission of the profile toone or more other destinations provides a conflict, and whether or notthe transferred profile should overwrite the local profile at thedestination. If the local profile is to be overwritten, controlcontinues to step S2444, where the local profile is overwritten bysettings in the transmitted profile. Control then continues to stepS2348, where the control sequence ends.

If the local profile is not to be overwritten, control continues to stepS2352, where any conflicting data can be reconciled. For example, a usercan be queried to confirm whether or not they would like to overwritethe local profile, and/or provide information regarding which profilesettings are in conflict, to allow the user to selectively determinewhich one of the local profile settings should be overwritten. Thisprocess can continue until all conflicts between the profiles have beenresolved, where control continues to step S2356, where the controlsequence ends.

FIG. 24 outlines exemplary communications between a mobile device and avehicle, and the transferring of a profile. In particular, with a mobiledevice, control begins in step S2404, and for the vehicle, controlbegins in step S2460. The vehicle, in step S2464, detects a presence ofa mobile device, such as a via Bluetooth®, RFID, user request, or thelike, and sends a message to the mobile device requesting establishmentof communication in step S2408. In step S2412, the mobile devicecommences communication with the vehicle, through an optional pairingstep between the mobile device and the vehicle in step S2468. One ormore of the mobile device and vehicle, in step S2416, and step S2472,respectively, can optionally perform authentication and/or verificationof the mobile device as discussed herein. In accordance with oneexemplary embodiment, on establishment of communication between themobile device and the vehicle, the vehicle in step S2476 receives theprofile from the mobile device, which is sent in step S2420. It shouldbe appreciated that optionally the profile need not be transferred fromthe mobile device to the vehicle, but the profile cold rather reside onthe mobile device when, for example, the mobile device is paired withthe vehicle. Next, in step S2480, the position of the mobile device inthe vehicle is determined. Then, in step S2484, one or more vehiclefeatures/controls are enabled based, at least partially, on thedetermined location of the mobile device within the vehicle. Forexample, certain vehicle features/controls may be enabled if it isdetermined if the mobile device is associated with the driver. Otherfeatures/controls may be enabled if it is determined that the profile isassociated with user in the back seat. Control then continues to stepS2488.

In step S2488, the mobile device is detected as leaving the vehicle.Upon this detection, the profile could optionally be updated, and if theprofile is being stored on the mobile device, the updated profiletransferred to the mobile device and/or a remote location, such as acloud, with the updated profile being received by the mobile deviceand/or cloud in step S2424. Control then respectively continues to stepS2428, and step S2492, where the control sequence ends.

FIG. 25 outlines an exemplary method for transferring a profile. Inparticular, control begins in step S2500, and continues to step S2504,where the profile is transferred to another entity or directly toanother vehicle. This can be done one or more of automatically, based ona user request, based on context, or based on other information such asthe detection by a smart calendar of a user having an appointment with arental agency for a leased vehicle. Next, in step S2508, one or moreprofiles that are available to be transferred are identified. Then, instep S2502, the identified profile(s) to be transferred are one or moreof uploaded, transferred, or registered, or otherwise associated withone or more of an entity, another vehicle, a communication device, orthe like. Control then continues to step S2516, where the controlsequence ends.

FIG. 26 outlines an exemplary method for associating a profile with areservation. In particular, control begins in step S2600, and continuesto step S2604. In step S2604, the rental reservation is commenced. Next,in step S2608, the user is queried as to whether they would like toassociate one or more profiles with the rental reservation. Then, instep S2612, the user is asked which profile(s) should be associated withwhich position in the vehicle, e.g. driver, alternate driver, passenger,or the like. Control then continues to step S2616.

In step S2616, the profile(s) that are to be associated with the rentalreservation are located and uploaded and associated with thereservation. As will be appreciated, this uploading of the profiles canbe done at the time of the reservation, and could also optionally bedone immediately before the user takes control of the leased vehicle toensure that the latest version of the profile is being associated withthe leased vehicle. Then, in step S2620, when the user actually takespossession of the leased vehicle, their profile can be associatedtherewith. Control then continues to step S2624.

In step S2624, one or more ads can optionally be sent to the vehicleand/or user's communication device based on their profile, with theseads capable of continuing after completion of the rental reservation. Aswill be appreciated, and after completion of the rental reservation,these ads can be sent to one or more of the user's communication orother device, and/or the user's other vehicle(s). Control then continuesto step S2628, where the control sequence ends.

FIG. 27 outlines an exemplary method 52704, where vehicle reporting isturned on. Turning on vehicle reporting can be based on one or more of arequest, such as a user request, insurance agency request, parentrequest, or the like. Vehicle reporting can further be turned on basedon one or more of smart calendar information, a trigger, a contextassociated with one or more of the vehicle, driver, vehicle occupants,or the like. Next, in step S2708, a determination and/or query as towhat type of information should be monitored is performed. As discussed,this can include one or more of number of passengers, speed information,vehicle location information, GPS information, and the like. Then, instep S2712, communication with the vehicle can optionally be establishedto allow for, for example, real-time control of one or more vehiclefunctions. Control then continues to step S2716.

In step S2716, it is determined whether information based on one or moreof context, the above request, smart calendar information, and/or atrigger is needed. If information is needed, control continues to stepS2728, with control otherwise continuing to step S2720. In step S2720, adetermination is made as to whether reporting should end. If vehiclereporting is determined to have been completed, control continues tostep S2724, where the control sequence ends. Otherwise, control jumpsback to step S2716.

In step S2728, necessary/needed information based on one or more of therequests, smart calendar, trigger, or the like, is obtained. Then, instep S2732, this obtained information can optionally be forwarded to oneor more destinations, can be stored, or can be used with, for example, aremote access device to assist with controlling one or more vehiclefunctions. Control then continues to step S2736, where the controlsequence ends.

FIG. 28 outlines an exemplary method of operation of a parental controlmode. In particular, control begins in step S2800, and continues to stepS2804. In step S2804, a determination is made as to whether the parentalcontrol mode should be activated. If the parental control mode should beactivated, control continues to step S2816, with control otherwisecontinuing to step S2808. In step S2808, vehicle operation continues asnormal with control continuing to step S2812, where the control sequenceends.

In step S2816, the parental control mode of the vehicle is activated.Next, in step S2820, certain vehicle functions can be limited based on“rules” associated with a parental control mode profile. Then, in stepS2824, vehicle reporting, as discussed herein, can optionally be turnedon. Additionally, in step S2828, smart context sensing can also beoptionally turned on. As discussed, smart context sensing can be used toassist with ensuring children arrive home prior to their curfew, can beused to require a driver to take a breathalyzer after being parkedoutside of a restaurant/bar, or the like. Furthermore, in step S2832,one or more rules based functions can also be turned on that, forexample, limit vehicle's performance, limit infotainment availability,and the like. Control then continues to step S2836.

In step S2836, communications can optionally be established directlywith the vehicle, such as via a remote access device 2224. As discussed,this remote access device can be equipped with display that shows one ormore operational states of the vehicle, such as speed, direction,location, images of occupants, infotainment information, or the like,such that a user using the remote access device has complete visibilityas to one or more of the vehicle's operational conditions. This could beespecially useful if a parent is trying to monitor a young driver'sperformance in the vehicle. Control then continues to step S2840 whereparental control is deactivated and the control sequence ends.

FIG. 29 outlines an exemplary method for global context awareness. Inparticular, control begins in step S2800 and continues to step S2804. Instep S2804, global context awareness is enabled. As discussed, globalcontext awareness allows the vehicle and vehicle systems and subsystemsto integrate with one or more other systems, and optionally and incooperation with context, can be used to exchange messages, controlvarious functions, and the like. Next, in step S2808, the vehiclecommunicates with one or more other smart systems, such as arefrigerator, door locks, garage openers, calendars, cloud-basedstorage, or the like. Then, in step S2812, messages can be exchangedbetween the vehicle and the one or more other smart systems, with thosemessages including one or more of status information, noticeinformation, or the like. An example of status information can include,for example, that the coffee pot at their home was left on. Control thencontinues to step S2816.

In step S2816, control messages can be exchanged between the vehicle andone or more other smart systems. For example, control information orcontrol messages can include an instruction to turn off the coffee potthat was determined above to have been left on. Control messages canfurther include, for example, instructions to open or close a garagedoor, instructions to unlock an interior door, instructions to controlan HVAC system in the user's house, or the like. In general, the vehicleis capable of communicating with any one or more smart systems,receiving information therefrom, and controlling one or more functionsthereof, via, for example, a display in the vehicle and/or a user'scommunication device. Control then continues to step S2820 where thecontrol sequence ends.

The exemplary systems and methods of this disclosure have been describedin relation to configurable vehicle consoles and associated devices.However, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure, thepreceding description omits a number of known structures and devices.This omission is not to be construed as a limitation of the scopes ofthe claims. Specific details are set forth to provide an understandingof the present disclosure. It should however be appreciated that thepresent disclosure may be practiced in a variety of ways beyond thespecific detail set forth herein.

Furthermore, while the exemplary aspects, embodiments, options, and/orconfigurations illustrated herein show the various components of thesystem collocated, certain components of the system can be locatedremotely, at distant portions of a distributed network, such as a LANand/or the Internet, or within a dedicated system. Thus, it should beappreciated, that the components of the system can be combined in to oneor more devices, such as a Personal Computer (PC), laptop, netbook,smart phone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), tablet, etc., orcollocated on a particular node of a distributed network, such as ananalog and/or digital telecommunications network, a packet-switchnetwork, or a circuit-switched network. It will be appreciated from thepreceding description, and for reasons of computational efficiency, thatthe components of the system can be arranged at any location within adistributed network of components without affecting the operation of thesystem. For example, the various components can be located in a switchsuch as a PBX and media server, gateway, in one or more communicationsdevices, at one or more users' premises, or some combination thereof.Similarly, one or more functional portions of the system could bedistributed between a telecommunications device(s) and an associatedcomputing device.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the various links connectingthe elements can be wired or wireless links, or any combination thereof,or any other known or later developed element(s) that is capable ofsupplying and/or communicating data to and from the connected elements.These wired or wireless links can also be secure links and may becapable of communicating encrypted information. Transmission media usedas links, for example, can be any suitable carrier for electricalsignals, including coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, and maytake the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated duringradio-wave and infra-red data communications.

Also, while the flowcharts have been discussed and illustrated inrelation to a particular sequence of events, it should be appreciatedthat changes, additions, and omissions to this sequence can occurwithout materially affecting the operation of the disclosed embodiments,configuration, and aspects.

A number of variations and modifications of the disclosure can be used.It would be possible to provide for some features of the disclosurewithout providing others.

It should be appreciated that the various processing modules (e.g.,processors, vehicle systems, vehicle subsystems, modules, etc.), forexample, can perform, monitor, and/or control critical and non-criticaltasks, functions, and operations, such as interaction with and/ormonitoring and/or control of critical and non-critical on board sensorsand vehicle operations (e.g., engine, transmission, throttle, brakepower assist/brake lock-up, electronic suspension, traction andstability control, parallel parking assistance, occupant protectionsystems, power steering assistance, self-diagnostics, event datarecorders, steer-by-wire and/or brake-by-wire operations,vehicle-to-vehicle interactions, vehicle-to-infrastructure interactions,partial and/or full automation, telematics, navigation/SPS, multimediasystems, audio systems, rear seat entertainment systems, game consoles,tuners (SDR), heads-up display, night vision, lane departure warning,adaptive cruise control, adaptive headlights, collision warning, blindspot sensors, park/reverse assistance, tire pressure monitoring, trafficsignal recognition, vehicle tracking (e.g., LoJack™),dashboard/instrument cluster, lights, seats, climate control, voicerecognition, remote keyless entry, security alarm systems, andwiper/window control). Processing modules can be enclosed in an advancedEMI-shielded enclosure containing multiple expansion modules. Processingmodules can have a “black box” or flight data recorder technology,containing an event (or driving history) recorder (containingoperational information collected from vehicle on board sensors andprovided by nearby or roadside signal transmitters), a crash survivablememory unit, an integrated controller and circuitry board, and networkinterfaces.

Critical system controller(s) can control, monitor, and/or operatecritical systems. Critical systems may include one or more of (dependingon the particular vehicle) monitoring, controlling, operating the ECU,TCU, door settings, window settings, blind spot monitor, monitoring,controlling, operating the safety equipment (e.g., airbag deploymentcontrol unit, collision sensor, nearby object sensing system, seat beltcontrol unit, sensors for setting the seat belt, etc.), monitoringand/or controlling certain critical sensors such as the power sourcecontroller and energy output sensor, engine temperature, oil pressuresensing, hydraulic pressure sensors, sensors for headlight and otherlights (e.g., emergency light, brake light, parking light, fog light,interior or passenger compartment light, and/or tail light state (on oroff)), vehicle control system sensors, wireless network sensor (e.g.,Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth sensors, etc.), cellular data sensor, and/orsteering/torque sensor, controlling the operation of the engine (e.g.,ignition, etc.), head light control unit, power steering, display panel,switch state control unit, power control unit, and/or brake controlunit, and/or issuing alerts to a user and/or remote monitoring entity ofpotential problems with a vehicle operation.

Non-critical system controller(s) can control, monitor, and/or operatenon-critical systems. Non-critical systems may include one or more of(depending on the particular vehicle) monitoring, controlling, operatinga non-critical system, emissions control, seating system controller andsensor, infotainment/entertainment system, monitoring certainnon-critical sensors such as ambient (outdoor) weather readings (e.g.,temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and the like), odometer readingsensor, trip mileage reading sensor, road condition sensors (e.g., wet,icy, etc.), radar transmitter/receiver output, brake wear sensor, oxygensensor, ambient lighting sensor, vision system sensor, ranging sensor,parking sensor, heating, venting, and air conditioning (HVAC) system andsensor, water sensor, air-fuel ratio meter, hall effect sensor,microphone, radio frequency (RF) sensor, and/or infrared (IR) sensor.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure that one or more of thenon-critical components and/or systems provided herein may becomecritical components and/or systems, and/or vice versa, depending on acontext associated with the vehicle.

Optionally, the systems and methods of this disclosure can beimplemented in conjunction with a special purpose computer, a programmedmicroprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuitelement(s), an ASIC or other integrated circuit, a digital signalprocessor, a hard-wired electronic or logic circuit such as discreteelement circuit, a programmable logic device or gate array such as PLD,PLA, FPGA, PAL, special purpose computer, any comparable means, or thelike. In general, any device(s) or means capable of implementing themethodology illustrated herein can be used to implement the variousaspects of this disclosure. Exemplary hardware that can be used for thedisclosed embodiments, configurations and aspects includes computers,handheld devices, telephones (e.g., cellular, Internet enabled, digital,analog, hybrids, and others), and other hardware known in the art. Someof these devices include processors (e.g., a single or multiplemicroprocessors), memory, nonvolatile storage, input devices, and outputdevices. Furthermore, alternative software implementations including,but not limited to, distributed processing or component/objectdistributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machineprocessing can also be constructed to implement the methods describedherein.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be readilyimplemented in conjunction with software using object or object-orientedsoftware development environments that provide portable source code thatcan be used on a variety of computer or workstation platforms.Alternatively, the disclosed system may be implemented partially orfully in hardware using standard logic circuits or VLSI design. Whethersoftware or hardware is used to implement the systems in accordance withthis disclosure is dependent on the speed and/or efficiency requirementsof the system, the particular function, and the particular software orhardware systems or microprocessor or microcomputer systems beingutilized.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be partiallyimplemented in software that can be stored on a storage medium, executedon programmed general-purpose computer with the cooperation of acontroller and memory, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, orthe like. In these instances, the systems and methods of this disclosurecan be implemented as program embedded on personal computer such as anapplet, JAVA® or CGI script, as a resource residing on a server orcomputer workstation, as a routine embedded in a dedicated measurementsystem, system component, or the like. The system can also beimplemented by physically incorporating the system and/or method into asoftware and/or hardware system.

Examples of the processors as described herein may include, but are notlimited to, at least one of Qualcomm® Snapdragon® 800 and 801, Qualcomm®Snapdragon® 610 and 615 with 4G LTE Integration and 64-bit computing,Apple® A7 processor with 64-bit architecture, Apple® M7 motioncoprocessors, Samsung® Exynos® series, the Intel® Core™ family ofprocessors, the Intel® Xeon® family of processors, the Intel® Atom™family of processors, the Intel Itanium® family of processors, Intel®Core® i5-4670K and i7-4770K 22 nm Haswell, Intel® Core® i5-3570K 22 nmIvy Bridge, the AMD® FX™ family of processors, AMD® FX-4300, FX-6300,and FX-8350 32 nm Vishera, AMD® Kaveri processors, Texas Instruments®Jacinto C6000™ automotive infotainment processors, Texas Instruments®OMAP™ automotive-grade mobile processors, ARM® Cortex™-M processors,ARM® Cortex-A and ARM926EJ-S™ processors, other industry-equivalentprocessors, and may perform computational functions using any known orfuture-developed standard, instruction set, libraries, and/orarchitecture.

Although the present disclosure describes components and functionsimplemented in the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations withreference to particular standards and protocols, the aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations are not limited to such standards andprotocols. Other similar standards and protocols not mentioned hereinare in existence and are considered to be included in the presentdisclosure. Moreover, the standards and protocols mentioned herein andother similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein areperiodically superseded by faster or more effective equivalents havingessentially the same functions. Such replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents included in thepresent disclosure.

The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/orconfigurations, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/orapparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, includingvarious aspects, embodiments, configurations embodiments,subcombinations, and/or subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art willunderstand how to make and use the disclosed aspects, embodiments,and/or configurations after understanding the present disclosure. Thepresent disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/orconfigurations, includes providing devices and processes in the absenceof items not depicted and/or described herein or in various aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations hereof, including in the absence ofsuch items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g.,for improving performance, achieving ease and\or reducing cost ofimplementation.

The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustrationand description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosureto the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing DetailedDescription for example, various features of the disclosure are groupedtogether in one or more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations forthe purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure may be combined inalternate aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations other than thosediscussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claims require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a singleforegoing disclosed aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. Thus, thefollowing claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodimentof the disclosure.

Moreover, though the description has included description of one or moreaspects, embodiments, and/or configurations and certain variations andmodifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications arewithin the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill andknowledge of those in the art, after understanding the presentdisclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternativeaspects, embodiments, and/or configurations to the extent permitted,including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures,functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not suchalternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions,ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publiclydedicate any patentable subject matter.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A parental control system for a vehicle comprising:an identification module adapted to identify a user associated with thevehicle; a parental control module adapted to determine whether the useris subject to parental control based on the identification andinformation stored in a user profile, activate a parental control modeof the vehicle in response to determining the user is subject to theparental control, the parental control mode limiting one or more vehiclefunctions based on one or more rules including whether the user is adriver or a passenger of the vehicle; and a context module adapted todetermine a context associated with the user based on the information inthe user profile, a location of the vehicle, and a time, wherein theparental control module is further adapted to control a function of thevehicle based on the determined context.
 22. The system of claim 21,wherein vehicle reporting is activated.
 23. The system of claim 21,wherein the context associated with the user corresponds to anapproaching curfew for the user, the curfew stored in the user profile.24. The system of claim 23, wherein communications are established withone or more remote devices including a communication device associatedwith the user, and wherein the communications are configured to be sentat least to the communication device associated with the user and alertthe user of the approaching curfew and provide travel guidance to theuser for arriving home before the curfew.
 25. The system of claim 21,wherein one or more rules based functions are enabled or disabled,wherein the one or more rules based functions include at least onevehicle operational function.
 26. The system of claim 21, whereinreal-time communications are established between the vehicle and acommunications device or a computing device.
 27. The system of claim 21,wherein global context awareness is enabled and communicationsestablished with one or more smart systems.
 28. The system of claim 21,wherein the parental control mode is activated based on a facialrecognition of the user and a profile associated with the vehicle. 29.The system of claim 21, wherein real-time communications audio or videocommunications are established between the vehicle and a communicationsdevice or a computing device.
 30. The system of claim 21, wherein theone or more vehicle functions are limited based on a determined contextof one or more of the vehicle and one or more passengers, and whereininformation from a local or remote breathalyzer is used as input todetermine whether to limit the one or more vehicle functions.
 31. Aparental control method for a vehicle comprising: identifying a userassociated with the vehicle; determining whether the user is subject toparental control based on the identification and information stored in auser profile; activating a parental control mode of the vehicle inresponse to determining the user is subject to the parental control, theparental control mode limiting one or more vehicle functions based onone or more rules including whether the user is a driver or a passengerof the vehicle; determining a context associated with the user based onthe information in the user profile, a location of the vehicle, and atime; and controlling a function of the vehicle based on the determinedcontext.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein vehicle reporting isactivated.
 33. The method of claim 31, wherein the context associatedwith the user corresponds to an approaching curfew for the user, thecurfew stored in the user profile.
 34. The method of claim 33, whereincommunications are established with one or more remote devices includinga communication device associated with the user, and wherein thecommunications are configured to be sent at least to the communicationdevice associated with the user and alert the user of the approachingcurfew and provide travel guidance to the user for arriving home beforethe curfew.
 35. The method of claim 31, wherein one or more rules basedfunctions are enabled or disabled, wherein the one or more rules basedfunctions include at least one vehicle operational function.
 36. Themethod of claim 31, wherein real-time communications are establishedbetween the vehicle and a communications device or a computing device.37. The method of claim 31, wherein global context awareness is enabledand communications established with one or more smart systems.
 38. Themethod of claim 31, wherein the parental control module is activatedbased on a facial recognition of the user and a profile associated withthe vehicle.
 39. The method of claim 31, wherein real-timecommunications audio or video communications are established between thevehicle and a communications device or a computing device.
 40. Themethod of claim 31, wherein the one or more vehicle functions arelimited based on a determined context of one or more of the vehicle andone or more passengers, and wherein information from a local or remotebreathalyzer is used as input to determine whether to limit the one ormore vehicle functions.